Lawmakers look for piece of energy pie

The Cattaraugus County Legislature will vote on a local law next week that is expected to trigger wind farm construction proposals in some areas of the county.

The law would provide no tax exemption for alternative energy systems including wind, solar and farm waste. By opting out of tax exemptions for alternative energy systems, most notably wind farms, the law would open up the option of payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT payments) to towns, school districts and the county from the developer. The PILOT would be negotiated by the county Industrial Development Agency.

Development and Agriculture Committee Chairman Jerry E. Burrell, R-Franklinville, said by opting out of the ability to grant property tax exemptions for the alternative energy systems, the county "would have a seat at the table" when the IDA negotiated a PILOT with the wind farm developer.

Three companies have expressed interest and set up wind stations to measure wind speed, direction and duration at sites around the county.

Everpower is proposing a wind farm in the Chipmunk area of Allegany, Horison is looking at areas in Ashford, Yorkshire and Machias and Nobel is looking at Farmersville.

There is some concern among county lawmakers over what the IDA will do with the millions in fees it would get from the fee of 1 1/16 percent on tax-exempt industrial development bonds developers would presumably use to finance the wind farms. Some legislators believe some of those IDA fees could go toward tax exemptions for individual homeowners' alternative energy systems.

Finance Committee Chairman Michael O'Brien, R-Portville, suggested that, in addition to "host fees," the IDA might want to look at sharing some of its administrative fees with the county, town and school district in which wind farms will be located.

Legislators in July tabled a resolution to hire Hiscock & Barclay, a law firm with offices in Buffalo, to advise county lawmakers on legal issues surrounding wind farms. That resolution is expected to be voted on next Wednesday.

IN OTHER MATTERS:

- Repair of cracks in the brick veneer exterior of the 16-year-old Cattaraugus County Jail will cost an estimated $100,000, members of the County Legislature's Public Works Committee learned Wednesday.

When it rains, water leaks into the jail's food preparation area, and may be causing other unseen masonry problems as well.

Mark Burr, director of engineering, recommended the county hire a firm to do the engineering and wait until next year to perform the repairs.

"The longer we leave it, the more it will cost," said Public Works Committee Chairman Dick Giardini, D-Allegany.

- The committee also received a report from an engineering consultant who recommended several changes to improve the county wastewater treatment plant at the county nursing home at Machias. The cost of implementing the recommendations is about $25,000.

Mark Alianello recommended replacing clogged fliters, installing a 3,100-gallon settling tank to trap solids, and changing maintenance and food disposal practices. Cutting back on the amount of disinfectants which kill bacteria that digest sewage, and keeping food out of kitchen drains will extend the life of the treatment plant and leach field.

- The Public Works Committee again signed out a resolution directing the Human Resources director to negotiate with Public Works maintenance employees for a four-day work week next summer, but the resolution was held in the Labor Relations Committee.

Public Works Director David Rivet said the current contract allows management to negotiate flex time agreement with union members.

"Is this resolution really necessary?" asked Labor Relations Committee Chairman Jerry E. Burrell, R-Franklinville.

Commissioner Rivet said two previous votes by DPW union members turned down the four-day week. The offer would be strictly for highway maintenance employees, he explained.