By Liz Page
JEFFERSON – As people continued to comment against commercial wind energy facilities in the town of Jefferson, town board members passed a resolution calling for a six-month moratorium on Solar and Wind Energy Facilities at the end of their Aug. 8 meeting. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow town board and planning board members more time to develop regulations governing those facilities. They will continue the public hearing on the proposed amendments to the town's existing "Wind Energy Law".
Although the public hearing is not designed to be a back and forth, or question and answer period with the town board, residents continued to ask questions, such as: is there a proposed wind energy project; where is the existing wind measurement tower located; what benefit is there for the town.
Currently, there is no proposed commercial wind energy project, even though residents often refer to 670-foot commercial towers in referencing the town's existing law. There is a wind measuring tower on North Road, which many feel is a precursor to a proposed project. The existing law is being amended to more specifically address commercial projects and that draft. It was not supported by the Schoharie County Planning Commission and not supported by the number of town residents and residents of neighboring towns who have weighed in and submitted written comments to date.
Some have suggested rescinding the existing law, but that would leave the town without any regulations. Others favor continuing to tweak the existing law to address more specific concerns, such as light flicker, noise, maintenance, hazardous conditions, wildlife and many other concerns. Others argue that it is not in keeping with the town's Comprehensive Plan. Disrupting tourism, with Dave Savatari speaking against the commercial wind towers Thursday. He said Jefferson has the largest number of short term rentals of any other town in the county, and that local businesses would suffer from the presence of commercial wind towers. He said it would ruin the landscape that attracts people to the area. Some have commented that a project would decrease land values.
Code Enforcement Officer Rich Irwin said that no matter whether residents are in favor or against wind towers, he suggested they take a trip to an area where they are present and interview the neighbors and townsfolk to educate themselves on the issues.
Callan Little Faulk wrote an emotional letter, saying that commercial wind towers have the potential to affect homes and lives for years to come...and there is still a great deal they don't know about the potential benefits or harm. "We have a wind law in place, but it needs work. I am asking the town board to consider a moratorium to give us time to work on the law."
The hearing will remain open.
Councilman Don VanValkenburg thanked everyone who supported the recent Jefferson Heritage Day and attended the event. He praised Cindy Cole for her involvement and a video recap of the day's event which she put together and was played for the audience. He thanked her for her work on both the booklet and the video. And he invited anyone who wished to get involved to attend their next meeting on Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m., which is a pizza party at Mill Pond. Approval has been given to hold the event again next year on July 12.
Board members approved spending $275 to purchase a copy of the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Law book. It will provide reference for the town supervisor and town clerk to ensure they are following the law. Supervisor Peggy Hait said it is a large book.
A Sidewalk Committee will be established to develop a sidewalk law for maintaining sidewalks in front of homes and businesses in the hamlet of Jefferson. It will be chaired by Councilman Don VanValkenburgh and Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson will also be a member. Three more community members are needed to complete the committee. Currently, there is no law governing the maintenance of sidewalks.
Jefferson Town Board members also adopted a resolution to update the code enforcement law, bringing it in line with current state codes. No one spoke during the public hearing and Irwin explained it was overlooked when the state last updated its codes.
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