Town eyes few wind law changes

HAMMOND - When the Hammond Town Council presents its new law regulating wind energy to the community July 27, residents will find it's almost identical to the regulations adopted in December.

While the town board has changed some of the wording, the proposed law still calls for setbacks of just 500 feet from roads and boundary lines and 1,500 feet from off-site residences.

Despite seven months of public debate over windmills, the board's decision to stick to its original proposal has left its critics upset, arguing that the town board has refused to listen to any of their complaints.

"It was typical," said Gary Parrish, of Concerned Residents of Hammond. "They haven't really addressed the issues that people are concerned about. They've been told by St. Lawrence County Planning to look at rezoning, but no adjustments have been made whatsoever."

The original law was rescinded in the midst of legal action when the town's legal counsel told the board that the lack of an environmental quality review might prove to be a fatal flaw.

"It looks like they'll continue to plod along and we'll have to come at them legally again," Mr. Parrish said. "I don't see much change. Russell (special counsel Joseph W. Russell) is getting it done the way they want it done. It'll be a spitting contest between the lawyers."

Proponents are pleased the law will be enacted.

"Look, we're for it, and I don't see a lot of room for compromise," Crayton L. Buck said. "I see now as the right time to move forward and get the law passed."

Mr. Buck said there may be no room for compromise when it comes to pleasing everyone.

"The more reading and research that I've done into the topics and into the economic outlook for the north country, the more I feel that this is the best opportunity to increase the tax base and to improve the economic outlook for this community," he said.

Mr. Buck said the climate remains adversarial.

Wind opponent Brooke Stark says she remains skeptical of the Town Council.

"At the meeting, I was taken aback by the fact there was no discussion from the board. It kind of throws up a red flag. How can they spend so many months of work on this and then not have any public questions or comments? It made me wonder," Ms. Stark said.

Ms. Stark said she feels as if she and the Hammond community are being steamrolled.

"Regardless of whether we end up with turbines or not," she said, "this has and will continue to divide our community forever. We're a small community being taken advantage of, and Iberdrola knows exactly what they're doing."

Iberdrola is a Spanish energy company that is exploring a wind project for Hammond. It is a part owner of the Maple Ridge Wind Farm in Lewis County.

Several phone calls made to Hammond Town Supervisor Janie G. Hollister, and Councilmen Ronald E. Tully II and James E. Langtry were not returned over the past week.