Turbine measure passes with non-commercial fee
The Daily Mail|Chris Redwing|July 7, 2009
The Athens Town Board took their own steps to allow wind turbines on Monday night, but with dissent by one of their council regarding the details. Instead of passing a law, the Town Board along with Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple determined they would implement a resolution instead to add a $150 fee to all specific 50-foot non-commercial wind turbines to the existing list of permit fees.
The Athens Town Board took their own steps to allow wind turbines on Monday night, but with dissent by one of their council regarding the details. Instead of passing a law, the Town Board along with Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple determined they would implement a resolution instead to add a $150 fee to all specific 50-foot non-commercial wind turbines to the existing list of permit fees.
ATHENS - The Athens Town Board took their own steps to allow wind turbines on Monday night, but with dissent by one of their council regarding the details.
Instead of passing a law, the Town Board along with Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple determined they would implement a resolution instead to add a $150 fee to all specific 50-foot non-commercial wind turbines to the existing list of permit fees.
The resolution was based on a number of factors, including the implied fee from a building permit for a structure of a similar square footage, the inspection trips that would be required and the existing fee already being implemented in nearby Coxsackie. Other sizes of turbines, and commercial systems were not included in the …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]ATHENS - The Athens Town Board took their own steps to allow wind turbines on Monday night, but with dissent by one of their council regarding the details.
Instead of passing a law, the Town Board along with Code Enforcement Officer George Holsopple determined they would implement a resolution instead to add a $150 fee to all specific 50-foot non-commercial wind turbines to the existing list of permit fees.
The resolution was based on a number of factors, including the implied fee from a building permit for a structure of a similar square footage, the inspection trips that would be required and the existing fee already being implemented in nearby Coxsackie. Other sizes of turbines, and commercial systems were not included in the resolution.
Council members were explicitly wary of turbines in any parcel of property not 5 or more acres.
Although the resolution was adopted, it was not unanimous, passing 3-1 from those present. Town Councilman Eugene Hatton dissented, having a specific problem with the fee required to set up the turbine, stating "we should make our money in a different way."
More broadly, Hatton felt that the town should "welcome" people looking to create their own energy, and that the fee was discouraging it in return.
They also made a motion to begin pricing for a town website, making a clear effort to establish an online presence. A local web design company, KathodeRay, was mentioned in particular to handle the job but currently no contract has been signed.
The demolition of the structure on 60 Howard Hall was a key issue of business, with all lights green on the structure's removal. A point of contention for nearly a decade spanning two separate owners of the property, the council noted that as the structure fell into disrepair over the years it became a hazard.
An "active lack of communication from the owners," according to Hatton, resulted in no improvements on the property during that time.
The demolition zone has been clearly marked with tape and bright markers, and families in the area have been notified about the risk to citizens and children getting close to the zone. The council noted that although it's natural to be curious about it, any and all spectators should keep a wide distance.