Rethinking Wind Tower Safety

December 28, 2009
Perry White, Watertown Daily Times City Editor

Another wind tower has collapsed, this one in the Madison County Wind Farm in the town of Fenner. The nine-year-old tower collapsed Saturday night, apparently when power was lost to the tower. This is the second such collapse in upstate New York this year; in March, a tower collapsed in Altona, Franklin County, when it, too, lost power. Clearly, this issue is one that needs further study and one that should be giving pause to towns in the north country that are rushing to get permissive laws on the books for commercial wind farm development.

These two collapses are far from the only ones, however. In Denmark in 2008, a tower collapsed when the braking system failed and the blades spun out of control, eventually shattering the nacelle and sending debris well beyond the collapse range of one and a half times the tower height. In Oldenburg, Germany, a tower collapsed in November 2006 when a rotor shattered, bringing the entire tower down; large chunks of blade debris landed more than 200 meters – 660 feet – from the tower.

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Public Speaks Out on Wind Opinions

December 26, 2009


By: Brian Dwyer, News 10 TV

news10now.com

To view Brian Dwyer's video clip from News 10, click on the line above (news10now.com) or copy the following link: http://news10now.com/cny-news-1013-content/top_stories/?ArID=491131

Wind farms are a controversial issue throughout the North Country. There are several plans in the works and plenty of people signed up against them, including one on Galloo Island in Jefferson County. Our Brian Dwyer has more on a public hearing in the Town of Hounsfield.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- It sits 12 miles off the Town of Hounsfield shore. It's not a place people hang out, but for many, it's one of those peaceful views in a hectic time. That's why a lot of people in Jefferson County are not happy about a plan to put 84 wind turbines on it.

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Wind Power Project: Legislators Wait for Jefferson County to Make Decision

By Carol Nelson,
Valley News (www.valleynewsonline.com)
December 25, 2009

Members of the Oswego County Legislature are waiting for the Jefferson County Legislature to make a decision on a payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreement for the Galloo Island wind-power project. The two governments recently approved a joint resolution asking Upstate Power to relocate the proposed lines to the bottom of Lake Ontario.



A 230-kilovolt line has been proposed to run from Galloo Island in the Jefferson County Town of Hounsfield through the towns of Henderson, Ellisburg, Sandy Creek, and Richland, as well as the Village of Pulaski, to a proposed substation and interconnection with existing transmission lines in Mexico. Upstate Power has proposed to construct a wind farm on Galloo Island, off the shore in Hounsfield, along with a new power line with the capability of transporting 1,000 megawatts south to assist the needs of downstate consumers.

Galloo Island Towers moved in final report

Watertown Daily Times | Towers moved in final report

GALLOO ISLAND: Environmental impact statement includes gravel pit
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009

A slightly different tower layout and an added gravel pit for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm are the major changes delineated in the final environmental impact statement.

The statement was released Wednesday by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Upstate NY Power Corp wants to build a 252-megawatt, 84-turbine wind power facility on Galloo Island, along with electrical collection, support and staff housing structures.

ON THE NET

Galloo Island Final Environmental Impact Statement: www.dec.ny.gov/permits/

54687.html

Hounsfield Wind Farm - Notice of Completion of FEIS

From: "Stephen Tomasik"
Date: December 23, 2009
3:22:48 PM EST
Subject: Hounsfield Wind Farm - Notice of Completion of FEIS

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Hounsfield Wind Farm proposed for Galloo Island, Town of Hounsfield, Jefferson County. A copy of this notice and the attached location map are included with this email. You are receiving this email notice because you have made comments on this project or have otherwise expressed interest in being placed on the distribution list for DEC notices regarding this project, and have provided an email address for use by DEC in communicating agency notices. Please note that a separate notice will NOT be sent to you via regular mail. The notice was published in today's Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), which can be accessed at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20091223_not6.html To view the entire FEIS, go to the Upstate NY Power Corp. link at: http://upstatenypower.com/feis.html

Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or comments.

Stephen Tomasik
Project Manager
Energy Projects and Management
Division of Environmental Permits
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway - 4th Floor
Albany, New York 12233-1750
PH: (518) 486-9955
FAX: (518) 402-9168

DEC accepts Galloo Island FEIS!

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Hounsfield Wind Farm proposed for Galloo Island, Town of Hounsfield, Jefferson County.

forwarded message:
From: "Stephen Tomasik"
Date: December 23, 2009 3:22:48 PM EST
Subject: Hounsfield Wind Farm - Notice of Completion of FEIS

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Hounsfield Wind Farm proposed for Galloo Island, Town of Hounsfield, Jefferson County. A copy of this notice and the attached location map are included with this email. You are receiving this email notice because you have made comments on this project or have otherwise expressed interest in being placed on the distribution list for DEC notices regarding this project, and have provided an email address for use by DEC in communicating agency notices. Please note that a separate notice will NOT be sent to you via regular mail. The notice was published in today's Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), which can be accessed at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20091223_not6.html To view the entire FEIS, go to the Upstate NY Power Corp. link at: http://upstatenypower.com/feis.html

Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or comments.


Stephen Tomasik
Project Manager
Energy Projects and Management
Division of Environmental Permits
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway - 4th Floor
Albany, New York 12233-1750
PH: (518) 486-9955
FAX: (518) 402-9168

Galloo Island~ Opponents Challenge Wind Farm Plans

GALLO ISLAND: Environmental studies, turbine placement under fire at Hounsfield Planning Board hearing

By NANCY MADSEN, Watertown Times Staff Writer
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2009

SACKETS HARBOR — Opponents of the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm challenged the schedule, environmental studies and placement of the on-island facilities Monday morning during a public hearing on the site plan. The hearing, held by the Hounsfield Planning Board, attracted about 50 people. Upstate NY Power Corp. is seeking site plan approval for the 252-megawatt, 84-turbine project. Thirteen people spoke on the $500 million plan for infrastructure on the island, eight were against the project or plan as its stands.

John P. Gaus, who owns land in Hounsfield and works in renewable energy development, said the town should require written guarantees on a number of issues, including job numbers, a less intrusive lighting plan, exclusion of expansion into the water and a state environmental quality review document that "complies with the law." A SEQR should include the cumulative effects of other wind farms in the area, including the recently announced offshore wind project being considered by the New York Power Authority. "If not, the town will get sued," Mr. Gaus said.

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40 attend meeting on wind

By Nancy Madsen Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
Publication: Watertown Daily Times (New York)
Date: Sunday, December 20 2009

Dec. 20--CAPE VINCENT -- Residents asked questions about land, sales and money to start a community wind power project at a public meeting Saturday morning.

The session, which about 40 people attended, was organized by the Black River-St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council. The council won a $99,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the possibility of a community wind farm on behalf of St. Lawrence River Public Power Association.

Association organizer Hester M. Chase told the group she wants a renewable energy project in the town that will unite various factions, create revenue and lower electricity prices.

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Public hearing Dec. 21 on Galloo wind project

Link to Watertown times article -->here<--

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2009

The public will soon get its chance to comment on the facilities for the Galloo Island Wind Farm.

The Hounsfield Planning Board will hold a hearing on the plans for a facility proposed by Upstate NY Power Corp. at 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at the Hounsfield Town Court Building, 411 W. Washington St., Sackets Harbor.

The Planning Board can't vote on the 84-turbine, 252-megawatt wind facility until the state Department of Environmental Conservation releases the final environmental impact statement and allows for a 10-day public comment period.

Galloo~ Agencies urge underwater route from wind farm to Scriba

Link -->here<-- to Watertown Times article
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009

The Oswego County Board of Legislators and Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corp. joined the Jefferson County Board of Legislators in supporting a call for a underwater transmission route from the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm to Scriba in Oswego County.

The underwater route would avoid about 40 miles on the mainland that faces opposition from some farmers and landowners in Henderson, Ellisburg, Sandy Creek, Richland and Mexico.

The three organizations are calling on the state Public Service Commission to push for more studies of alternatives, most closely the underwater transmission route. The resolution also calls on the PSC to minimize the effects on residents of Jefferson and Oswego counties.

Watertown Daily Times | Unions look forward to Galloo Island jobs

Watertown Daily Times | Unions look forward to Galloo Island jobs
PROPOSED WIND FARM: Three construction seasons expected to peak in 2011 with 125 workers; winters will suspend building

By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009


Union officials relish the job possibilities presented by the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm.

Upstate NY Power Corp. has said the 84-turbine, 252-megawatt project would create 24 permanent jobs and 200 to 250 construction jobs during the three summers of construction.

The project has been criticized for supporting mostly construction jobs, which may last a season or two.

Hammond ~ Wind farm Law Irks New Officials

HAMMOND TOWN COUNCIL: Bertram, Tague say passage of contentious measure hurts town

Story posted in it's entirety because I do not have access to a link

By MATT MCALLISTER, JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

HAMMOND — Future municipal officers of the town of Hammond are shaking their heads about the outgoing Town Council's decision to adopt a law regulating commercial wind farms, saying the board knew that the Hammond voting public was not comfortable with it.

Ronald W. Bertram, who will take over the supervisor position from Janie G. Hollister, and Dr. James R. Tague, who will fill one of two expiring council seats, said the development was disturbing. "I'm a little disappointed," Mr. Bertram said. "The voting public expressed a view of not being happy with the law as it is. I thought we'd be taking a look at it, and would come up with a compromise that was more acceptable to everyone."

The incoming supervisor said that once the new board takes office, it may have to seek legal counsel on how best to deal with the new law. "I think the law, in its present form, is a good starting point. But it doesn't cover all of the issues that have been raised," Mr. Bertram said. "I would assume the law could be amended. Until I'm in office, and can seek legal counsel, I honestly don't know what the best course of action is. We will be happy to seek legal advice whether to repeal it or to amend it, and keep working on it."

Concerned Residents of Hammond already has filed a lawsuit, on Tuesday in state Supreme Court. The lawsuit cites State Environmental Quality Review Act violations, as well as violations of the Open Meetings Law and conflicts of interest. Plaintiffs are Pamela Winchester, James W. Brown, Roseanne E. Whittier, William C. Tanner and Christopher J. McRoberts.
The lawsuit cites the Hammond Town Council, including Mrs. Hollister and councilmen Ronald E. Tulley II, James C. Pitcher, Russell Stewart and James E. Langtry, and Code Enforcement Officer James R. Gleason.

Dr. Tague echoed the sentiments of Mr. Bertram, saying he feels the board's decision only hurts the town. "My big feeling is that they knew the voting population did not approve of the wind law in its present state. I felt that we would be given the opportunity to work on trying to write a wind law that was appropriate. Because of their actions, it hurts the town of Hammond," Dr. Tague said. "It's why we were elected. They knew that, and went ahead anyway. It's an extremely self-serving action."

The Town Council will hold its final regularly scheduled meeting of 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the town offices.

Galloo Island ~ Wind Farm Deal Pares Tax Income

GALLOO PLAN: Special 20-year PILOT would mean $5.3m less for Hounsfield, Sackets schools and county

By NANCY MADSEN, TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

The fine print of the novel payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement proposed for Galloo Island Wind Farm gives the developer stability in tax payments over 20 years, making it easier to attract investors. But the bottom line means about $5.3 million less in taxes for the coffers of the town of Hounsfield, Sackets Harbor Central School District and Jefferson County. The three taxing jurisdictions will receive base payments totaling about $54.7 million over the term of the proposed PILOT. If a normal 15-year PILOT were applied with five years of full taxation afterward, the jurisdictions would net about $60 million.

To ensure development, having a set amount in tax payments for the entire investment period "would be a big key" to attracting investors, William J. Walsh, director of the Joseph I. Lubin School of Accounting at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.
"In New York, we have very, very high property taxes to begin with," he said. "If you combine that incentive — the ideal location for wind turbines — with the reduced taxes, and say, 'We'll match the low property taxes in other places,' that's an incentive that has worked in the past."

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Preserving the Golden Crescent Coalition

"Preserve the Golden Crescent" is a coalition group that has been formed to give a stronger voice to the many individual groups who all have one thing in common....the preservation of their areas and protection of their residents. At a recent meeting of the group, the following areas were represented: Hammond, Clayton, Orleans, Cape Vincent, Lyme, Henderson, Hounsfield, and Ellisburg.

The group has made good progress thus far and is in the process of signing a contract for a 30-second Commercial that will run on NEWS 10, the local cable station, as well as an Albany News channel that will target the elected state officials. At some point we hope to see a video that will include the 1000 Islands area all the way to Hammond.

The group plans to continue holding its meetings around the area to show support for individual groups, draw attention to their cause, and continue to address the needs of the membership. Their website just went live and can be found at: www.preservethegoldencrescent.com

Here is their first 30-second Commercial:

Hammond Board Adopts Wind Law, Citizens Take Legal Action

by Pam McDowell, 1000 Islands Sun Staff Reporter
December 9, 2009

The Hammond Town Board once again adopted a Wind Energy Facility Law to govern industrial wind development. During a special Dec. 7 meeting, Councilmen Ron Tulley and James Langtry, and Supervisor Janie Hollister voted to accept the law, called Local Law No. 1, while Councilmen James Pitcher and Russell Stewart recused themselves for conflict of interest. A wind law had been adopted on Oct. 27, 2008, but that law was later nullified due to failure to comply with the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) Act.

Even with the new law adopted, the question of whether wind development will move forward remains up in the air. Less than 24 hours after the law was passed, the Concerned Residents of Hammond and several residents filed an Article 78 Declaration of Judicial Action with the NYS Supreme Court in St. Lawrence County to determine if the law was enacted in violations of state law and should be nullified.

According to Attorney James Sonneborn of the law offices of Green and Seiter of Syracuse, the reasons for filing the Article 78 are to determine whether the town was in violcation of the SEQRA Act, open meeting law, and conflict of interest law. A temporary restraining order was also filed in an attempt to prevent the town or code enforcement officer from issuing permits until the merits of the lawsuit are determined.

At Monday's meeting, residents sat in silence in a packed library while Supervisor Hollister read a 20-page SEQRA assessment survey prior to the vote on the wind law. The board resolved to accept the SEQRA as submitted by Hollister. Another 20-page SEQRA form was then read alound, and accepted by the board in relation to a second law adopted. The second law passed is Local Law No. 2 that amends the Hammond Site Plan and Subdivision Review Law. This amendment requires wind development facilities to be governed by the wind law, rather than being subject to the Hammond Site Plan Law, which is inadequate for wind project development. The wind law provides more rigid criteria for industrial wind development.

Among Supervisor Hollister's written comments on the SEQRA form, were repeated statements regarding te existence of a wind law as being in the best interest of the town, since specific requirements on siting and setbacks of the turbines are set forth. Establishing the wind law has caused discontent and sharp divisions in the town, with some residents pushing for stricter noise and setback regulations, while others wish to move forward quickly with project development.

President of the Concerned Residents of Hammond, Mary Hamilton, responded to the passing of the wind law by saying, "We fully expected this action by the present board, and will now contemplate options that are appropriate. We were hoping the outgoing supervisor and councilmen would have better understood the November election results. If this board truly had the best interest of Hammond in mind, the would have allowed the incoming board members the opportunity for input on the issue, and would have ceased this process tonight and cooperated to allow that to happen.

On the other side of the fence, residents Robert Hollister, Marion Milsap, and Barbara Hadlock expressed support for the law. Milsap commented, "Farmers used to support this town. We had machinery dealers, restaurants, and a gas station - now it's a ghost town. Now the farmers need us to support them." Hadlock said, "We've got rich people on islands who don't care if the farmers get money from the wind." She called the passing of the law "the best thing that ever happened in Hammond," commenting that industrial wind development may create more jobs. Hollister agreed with the sediment, pointing out that people against wind development have complained that wind turbines will ruin a pristine environment. "Yet, it's their cottages along the river that have ruined the pristine environment," he said.

Once a certified copy of the law is filed with the town clerk, the New York State Department of State, the St. Lawrence County Planning Board, and the Attorney General's Office, it can immediately be enacted.

Legislature Delays Vote on Wind Farm PILOT

By NANCY MADSEN, TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009

The county Board of Legislators is probably most noted for what it did not do in its final session of 2009: vote on the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm. Project developer Upstate NY Power Corp. has told the county it needs a PILOT passed by Dec. 31 to allow it time to get financing in order and start construction in 2010. The developer needs 5 percent of the project completed in 2010 to qualify for a 30 percent rebate through stimulus money.

County legislators are waiting for signs of a decision on the transmission line, which is not included in the PILOT. The developer applied to the Public Service Commission for a 50.6-mile transmission line that runs from the island to Henderson and then south through Ellisburg and other towns before connecting to the state grid in the town of Mexico. Hearings on the route in November raised fears that eminent domain would be necessary to site the line on the mainland through private property, including a large amount of farmland.

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Hammond Wind Law Challenged in Court

CITIZENS GROUP SUES: Lame-duck council criticized on SEQR

By MATT MCALLISTER, JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009

HAMMOND — The anti-wind farm group Concerned Residents of Hammond has quickly challenged the legality of the wind law a lame-duck Hammond Town Council passed Monday. The decision to pass the law brought a swift response in a lawsuit filed Tuesday afternoon in the St. Lawrence County clerk’s office, Canton, by the residents group.

“We fully expected this action by the present board,” said Mary D. Hamilton, the group’s president. “We were hoping the outgoing supervisor and councilmen would have better understood the November election results. If this board truly had the best interests of the residents of Hammond in mind, they would have allowed the incoming board members the opportunity for input on this issue and would have ceased this process and cooperated to allow that to happen.”

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Hammond Board Adopts Wind Law, Citizens Take Legal Action | |

by Pam McDowell, 1000 Islands Sun Staff Reporter
December 9, 2009
The Hammond Town Board once again adopted a Wind Energy Facility Law to govern industrial wind development. During a special Dec. 7 meeting, Councilmen Ron Tulley and James Langtry, and Supervisor Janie Hollister voted to accept the law, called Local Law No. 1, while Councilmen James Pitcher and Russell Stewart recused themselves for conflict of interest. A wind law had been adopted on Oct. 27, 2008, but that law was later nullified due to failure to comply with the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) Act.

Even with the new law adopted, the question of whether wind development will move forward remains up in the air. Less than 24 hours after the law was passed, the Concerned Residents of Hammond and several residents filed an Article 78 Declaration of Judicial Action with the NYS Supreme Court in St. Lawrence County to determine if the law was enacted in violations of state law and should be nullified.

According to Attorney James Sonneborn of the law offices of Green and Seiter of Syracuse, the reasons for filing the Article 78 are to determine whether the town was in violcation of the SEQRA Act, open meeting law, and conflict of interest law. A temporary restraining order was also filed in an attempt to prevent the town or code enforcement officer from issuing permits until the merits of the lawsuit are determined.

At Monday's meeting, residents sat in silence in a packed library while Supervisor Hollister read a 20-page SEQRA assessment survey prior to the vote on the wind law. The board resolved to accept the SEQRA as submitted by Hollister. Another 20-page SEQRA form was then read alound, and accepted by the board in relation to a second law adopted. The second law passed is Local Law No. 2 that amends the Hammond Site Plan and Subdivision Review Law. This amendment requires wind development facilities to be governed by the wind law, rather than being subject to the Hammond Site Plan Law, which is inadequate for wind project development. The wind law provides more rigid criteria for industrial wind development.

Among Supervisor Hollister's written comments on the SEQRA form, were repeated statements regarding te existence of a wind law as being in the best interest of the town, since specific requirements on siting and setbacks of the turbines are set forth. Establishing the wind law has caused discontent and sharp divisions in the town, with some residents pushing for stricter noise and setback regulations, while others wish to move forward quickly with project development.

President of the Concerned Residents of Hammond, Mary Hamilton, responded to the passing of the wind law by saying, "We fully expected this action by the present board, and will now contemplate options that are appropriate. We were hoping the outgoing supervisor and councilmen would have better understood the November election results. If this board truly had the best interest of Hammond in mind, the would have allowed the incoming board members the opportunity for input on the issue, and would have ceased this process tonight and cooperated to allow that to happen.

On the other side of the fence, residents Robert Hollister, Marion Milsap, and Barbara Hadlock expressed support for the law. Milsap commented, "Farmers used to support this town. We had machinery dealers, restaurants, and a gas station - now it's a ghost town. Now the farmers need us to support them." Hadlock said, "We've got rich people on islands who don't care if the farmers get money from the wind." She called the passing of the law "the best thing that ever happened in Hammond," commenting that industrial wind development may create more jobs. Hollister agreed with the sediment, pointing out that people against wind development have complained that wind turbines will ruin a pristine environment. "Yet, it's their cottages along the river that have ruined the pristine environment," he said.

Once a certified copy of the law is filed with the town clerk, the New York State Department of State, the St. Lawrence County Planning Board, and the Attorney General's Office, it can immediately be enacted.

Hammond Town Board Passes Wind Law

LAME-DUCK ACT: Board members who voted for ordinance lost in fall election


Story posted in its entirety because I do not have a link

By MATT MCALLISTER, JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2009

HAMMOND — The Hammond Town Council adopted a local wind ordinance Monday night, just weeks before some members who supported the measure are set to leave office. Town Supervisor Janie G. Hollister joined councilmen Ronald E. Tulley II and James E. Langtry in voting during a special meeting to enact a new "Wind Energy Facilities" law. Setbacks and other provisions in the new law are considered favorable to wind projects.

Mrs. Hollister, Mr. Tulley and Mr. Stewart will leave the board at the end of the month. All three were defeated at the polls in November by candidates who promised to take a more critical look at wind development. Incoming Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram and council members Douglas E. Delosh and James R. Tague will take office Jan. 1. When asked after Monday's meeting what the development will mean for the new board, Dr. Tague offered four words: "A lot of work.

Local Law No. 1 of 2009 was approved 3-0. Councilmen and wind company lease holders James C. Pitcher and Russell Stewart recused themselves from the vote.

The newly adopted wind law puts setback distances at the greater of 1 1/2 times the total tower height or 500 feet from the nearest site boundary property line, public road or edge of the Wind Overlay District. The setback requirement for towers near off-site residences that exist at the time of application is set at the greater of 2 1/2 times the total tower height or 1,500 feet.

The adoption of the new wind law comes almost a year after the town board rescinded a previous version of the law after special counsel Joseph W. Russell recommended the board conduct a state Environmental Quality Review Assessment. A grass-roots citizens group, Concerned Residents of Hammond, also brought a lawsuit against the town board over the law.

Before adopting the law Monday, the town board conducted what it called a SEQRA review in open session. Mrs. Hollister said that since the action being made by the board — adopting the law — itself had no physical impacts on the land involved, a declaration that the law will have no negative impact on the environment should be determined. "This is a local law, not a project," she said. "It is being adopted to regulate the process."

The board subsequently agreed with Mrs. Hollister to answer "not applicable" to nearly every question on the SEQRA review.
After adopting its new wind law, the town board also unanimously adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2009, which amends the Hammond Site Plan and Subdivision Review Law to exempt wind energy facilities from review. Instead, wind energy facilities will now be governed only by Local Law No. 1.

The Hammond Town Board will hold its final regularly scheduled meeting of the year at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Judge dismisses turbine proceeding

 Judge dismisses turbine proceeding

CAPE VINCENT PERMIT: Man sought to have revocation reversed; ruling says ZBA can enforce ordinance
By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009

CAPE VINCENT — A state Supreme Court judge has dismissed a town of Cape Vincent man's Article 78 petition that sought to overturn the town Zoning Board of Appeals' revocation of his permit for the construction of a 92-foot personal wind turbine.

Roger D. Alexander, of 35157 County Route 7, filed the action in mid-October after spending $80,000 to construct the turbine using what he believed was a valid permit issued by Zoning Enforcement Officer Alan N. Wood.

Link to original
Watertown Daily Times | Judge dismisses turbine proceeding

Cape to defer action on wind

Watertown Daily Times | Cape to defer action on wind

PETITION FILED: Group wants three on board to abstain from vote
By BRIAN KELLY
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009

CAPE VINCENT — The town board agreed Thursday that it will not schedule a public hearing or take any vote on a controversial proposed wind power law until at least the beginning of the year.

The stipulation came in the wake of a state Supreme Court Article 78 petition filed by the Wind Power Ethics Group LLC in which the group also is asking a judge to rule that three town board members abstain from voting on any wind power-related issues due to alleged conflicts of interest.

Disillusioned in Cape by town elections results ~ letter to the editor

Watertown Daily Times | Disillusioned in Cape by town elections results

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009


To the people of the town of Cape Vincent: Many of you probably feel disillusioned or even devastated by the results of the town elections. You may even feel victimized by certain "new" voters. But don't be too upset. You'll still be allowed to stock their favorite beer on local store shelves. You'll still be allowed to maintain the local highways, public buildings and local businesses while they enjoy their wine and cheese parties. You'll still be allowed to fight their fires.

And when they are sick or injured and call 911, you can still respond in the ambulance that your incoming supervisor doesn't know you have. Oh, and those of you who live in the village, don't worry about him changing the look of Broadway. He doesn't know that he won't also be the mayor of the village. And yes, it will still be called Cape Vincent, not Carthage.

I would like to express my great appreciation to Tom Rienbeck for his many years of unwavering dedication to the town of Cape Vincent. He has done an amazing job and accomplished so many positive things for Cape Vincent and its neighbors. My hope is that he won't be out of the supervisor's office for very long.

Julia Gosier

Three Mile Bay