Lee Select Board Forum on Eversource Smart Meters - March 23, 2026

On March 23, 2026, the Lee Select Board hosted a public forum on Eversource's smart meter (AMI) deployment. The meeting featured presentations by Eversource Senior Vice President Jared Lawrence, Massachusetts for Safe Technology Director CeCe Du Set, and Building Biology EMF specialist Rex Funk, followed by extended Q&A with residents. The forum aimed to inform the community about smart meter benefits, opt-out options, and health and safety concerns.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy, representing the Scientific Alliance for Education, questioned the safety, privacy, and surveillance aspects of smart meters, arguing that data collection constituted an unreasonable search and seizure and raised Fourth Amendment concerns. She challenged Eversource’s claim that meters are safe, citing fire hazards and lack of protections against surges.
• Travis Toole asked about the calculation of the opt-out fee, potential increases as opt-out numbers shrink, loss of customer control under a monopoly, and cybersecurity risks of a closed network. He also shared personal health sensitivity to meter radiation, including effects on sleep and cognition.
• Julie Grome questioned the lack of public vote on the meter change, the lifespan of existing meters, whether the upgrade would lead to employee raises or job losses, and the timeline for promised cost savings.
• Eric Vincelette stated that the rollout seemed to have “snuck up” on the public and expressed skepticism about the benefits listed, calling them “fluff.” He asked about consequences of refusing any smart meter and stated he would prefer to see more investment in hardening the grid.
• A resident asked about meter placement options to avoid RF near bedrooms, requested notification before installation, questioned the $34 opt-out fee for clustered homes, and asked how appliance-level insights work without smart appliances.
• Lois Jensen from Tearingham asked about the non-communicating opt-out meter, whether it can be remotely switched on, whether it collects data, and noted that meter readers currently come only a few times a year rather than monthly, questioning the monthly fee.
• Courtney Gillardi shared that her children have EMF sensitivities with physician-documented symptoms (nausea, headaches, rashes), objected that UL listing covers only fire and shock, not biological safety, and stated that the opt-out fee penalizes those with medical needs. She asked about a reduced-fee option for elderly and disabled customers and noted that other states have no-fee opt-outs with customer photos.
• Cindy Matthias, via phone, read from an Eversource document suggesting cancer survivors could be at risk and asked for automatic exemptions for those with health issues.
• Sarah Basson asked for written guarantee from Eversource that meters are safe for health and expressed concern about lithium-ion batteries in meters, especially in a wood-frame house.
• Ben Shavinsky asked whether shielding would block the signal and expressed despair over technology’s health impacts.
• Gordon Bailey asked about RF directionality, whether meter boxes can be shielded to reduce RF entering the home, and requested documentation of cost savings. He also raised concerns about lack of transparency with the DPU and questioned why customers do not see a reduction in charges from meter-reading savings.
• Jess Jordan asked about renters’ ability to opt out (determined by account name) and when the installation in Western Massachusetts will be complete (within a month). She also noted friends who wanted to opt out after installation but were told to wait.
• Multiple speakers, including Courtney Gillardi and Cindy Matthias, called for a no-fee opt-out option and cited medical disabilities.
• Gordon Bailey and others reported issues with Eversource subcontractors: lack of identification, failure to knock before accessing property, and lack of notification prior to installation.

Discussion Items

Jared Lawrence (Eversource) presented the smart meter (AMI) system, emphasizing that it gives customers more control and insights, automated outage detection, remote service connection/disconnection, and future time-varying rates. He stated that over 120 million smart meters are installed nationwide, with 80% of U.S. electric customers having one. He noted that radio transmissions average 60 seconds per day and that meters are UL listed as safe. Lawrence explained that the opt-out fee ($34/month for meter reading, $42 one-time for installation outside cycle) is based on cost causation to prevent non-participants from subsidizing opt-out costs. He reported that 1% of Massachusetts customers have opted out so far. He acknowledged concerns but stressed that customers have the right to opt out.

CeCe Du Set (Massachusetts for Safe Technology) presented evidence that RF radiation from smart meters has been linked to cancer, DNA damage, infertility, neurotoxicity, and other health effects, citing the National Toxicology Program and other studies. She argued that FCC exposure limits are outdated (based on thermal effects only from 1996) and that international guidelines recommend far lower levels. She described symptoms reported by people with electromagnetic sensitivity and stated that smart meters are a common trigger. She noted ongoing bills in Massachusetts for a no-fee opt-out and highlighted that Vermont offers a no-fee opt-out. She demonstrated RF exposure from a cellphone and encouraged hardwiring devices.

Rex Funk (EMF Check) provided technical background on how smart meters emit pulsed RF and create “dirty electricity” that propagates through home wiring. He shared his personal experience becoming electrohypersensitive after exposure. He listed symptoms such as blood pressure changes, tinnitus, fatigue, and anxiety. He recommended moving meters farther from living spaces and using shielding, but noted that non-communicating opt-out meters still contain circuit boards that may produce dirty electricity. He cited examples of local advocacy in Woodstock, NY, where the opt-out fee was eliminated.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational.
• The Lee Select Board reported they have sent letters to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and state legislators advocating for a no-fee opt-out and passed a resolution advocating for no adverse health effects from wireless technology and supporting opt-out rights.
• Eversource clarified that customers may opt out at any time but may incur fees if done outside the installation cycle. The opt-out meter has the radio disabled but may still produce dirty electricity and contains a lithium-ion battery.
• The town will post presentations from the forum online.
• Residents were encouraged to contact the DPU and their legislators to express concerns about opt-out fees and health impacts.