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As discussion about the possible development of wind farms in Delaware County spreads, Andes and Bovina could adopt moratoriums Tuesday. Meanwhile, a citizens group has formed and has set an informational meeting for next Monday, April 17.
As discussion about the possible development of wind farms in Delaware County spreads, Andes and Bovina could adopt moratoriums Tuesday. Meanwhile, a citizens group has formed and has set an informational meeting for next Monday, April 17.
Bovina Supervisor Tina Mole said about 200 people attended a public hearing March 31 on a proposed six-month moratorium on the installation of wind turbines.
"We will be adopting the six-month moratorium at our April meeting Tuesday," Mole said. "But there will be no discussion of wind issues. We have a lot of other business to do."
Mole said a uniformed state trooper was at the public hearing because of the highly charged issue of wind power. She said most of the 49 people who spoke were property owners who are not full-time residents.
"After the officer left, the people got a little riled up," Mole said. She added that a comment by a second-home owner upset several local residents.
Mole said letters from pro-wind-power and …
Bovina Supervisor Tina Mole said about 200 people attended a public hearing March 31 on a proposed six-month moratorium on the installation of wind turbines.
"We will be adopting the six-month moratorium at our April meeting Tuesday," Mole said. "But there will be no discussion of wind issues. We have a lot of other business to do."
Mole said a uniformed state trooper was at the public hearing because of the highly charged issue of wind power. She said most of the 49 people who spoke were property owners who are not full-time residents.
"After the officer left, the people got a little riled up," Mole said. She added that a comment by a second-home owner upset several local residents.
Mole said letters from pro-wind-power and anti-wind-power groups have been mailed to every resident in Bovina, but to date, no applications have come before the Bovina Planning Board to install even a test tower.
"There have been false statements that members of the town board have been approached by wind companies," Mole said. &;I publicly polled the board, and that is just not true."
Andes Supervisor Martin Donnelly said the Andes Planning Board has recommended that a renewable six-month moratorium be adopted, and the measure will be voted on Tuesday.
"The feeling of our planning board and the county planning board is that the moratorium is not necessary because we already have provisions for wind towers in our site-plan review regulations," Donnelly said.
Donnelly said about 60 people attended the March town board meeting and several people have spoken to him regarding their concerns about wind turbines being erected in Andes.
Tara Collins, of Meredith, said a group of concerned area citizens is in the process of forming Delaware County Wind Alliance. The group has a web site at https://www.delcowind.org and it is planning to have monthly informational meetings throughout the county.
Collins said the next meeting is at 7 p.m. April 17 at the Hunting Tavern Museum, Main Street, Andes, and is open to the public.
"The meeting is designed with two objectives," Jessica Vecchione, meeting coordinator, said in a media release. "The first 45 minutes presents the basics of industrial wind power, how it works and the dynamics involved with bringing industrial wind power to Delaware County. It’s a great opportunity for people to get up to speed with what’s going on currently and what may develop."
Vecchione said five people will give 8-minute presentations on topics such as industrial wind basics and terminology, the process involved in turbine siting and development, and the role of industrial wind energy companies. The group has been gathering information, both pro and con, on the wind issue, she said.
Delaware County Wind Alliance has also produced "The Voices of Tug Hill," a 30-minute documentary-style DVD that includes interviews with residents and landowners at the state’s largest industrial wind turbine site northwest of Utica.
Vecchione said Steve McCarthy, of Meredith, will address risks relating to industrial wind power and the viability of a community wind project. A question-and-answer session will follow and light refreshments will be served.
"We owe it to ourselves to become educated regarding wind and its impact on our communities, properties and lives," Vecchione said.
Another documentary about wind-farm development was released March 20 and is available on the The Alliance for Clean Energy New York website at https://www.aceny.org.
"New York Wind" is a 17-minute documentary featuring testimonials from current neighbors of wind farms in New York and Pennsylvania.
"The best way to learn about wind power is to visit a wind farm and talk first-hand with its neighbors," Marion Trieste, a sponsor and an associate producer of "New York Wind Power" said in a media release. "For those who can’t make the trip, this film can bring eyewitness information about wind power into classrooms, town boards and living rooms throughout the state."
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.