Clayton Town Council Meeting : 10/08/08 Recap

Clayton Town Council Meeting held last evening: 10/08/08

ECCO along with other residents attended the Clayton town council meeting and there is good news to report and bad news to report.

The original Noise report given to the Town of Clayton by Tocci & Cavanaugh Acoustic firm dated February 15, 2008 has been released to the public within the past 48 hours!!!

We would not have known the report had been made available to the public if residents had not brought up the discussion on the Tocci & Cavanaugh original sound report. Town Supervisor Taylor said to listen very carefully to him: IF you FOIL to the Town Clerk for a specific document of request you will receive that document. We were all confused what does he mean. Mr. Justin Taylor did not come out and specifically state that the Tocci and Cavanaugh original report is available by FOIL. We all were confused because this week FOIL requests for the report had been denied.

The BAD news: Residents had questions asking the Town to discuss amending the Local Law No 1 of 2007 for wind facilities in the Town of Clayton. Residents since November 2007 have asked and written this council to amend the local law on the sound level and the setbacks. Residents were told by supervisor Taylor at a Town meeting when Tocci & Cavanaugh Acoustic were retained, that when their report is returned the town then would consider residents request for amendments. Supervisor Taylor also has stated that when the council receives a recommendation from the planning board for amendments to the local law the town council would consider the recommended changes. This is no longer the case.

Town supervisor Taylor informed residents several times this evening “there will be NO consideration for changes from the council on the Local Law until the process restarts (PPM reinstates the wind farm application)!!!!! Since November 2007 the council has continued to fail in implementing any action on their part from request by residents and it is clear that they will continue their stand. This is wrong. The local law is NOT part of the application by PPM Energy. Residents did their best to bring out discussion on this. The council controls the local law and only they can amend it. There was no response from the council. Just supervisor Taylor repeating himself there will be no consideration by council to amend the local law until PPM reactivates their application and the wind farm moves forward. The uncertainty of our future may go on for a long time. PPM Energy may never reinstate this project. Other wind developers can offer their applications for their proposed project for the town.

It has been 11 long months for residents/taxpayers of this community who have appealed to this council to change to the local law to safe noise levels impacts from turbines. Taxpayers are asking this council to change present local law noise levels to the levels consistent with NYS DEC guidelines. There is nothing hard to understand about this. NYS DEC is a very reputable agency of our state.

Unsigned