RULES TWEAKED: Panel agrees gripes will be directed first to owner or operator
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — Leaving sound regulations and controversial setback rules for a later date, the Town Council, Planning Board and Wind Committee worked through most of a draft wind zoning ordinance during a work session Saturday.
The largest change agreed upon was that the developer or operator of the wind farm would receive post-construction complaints about noise or other issues instead of the town.
Link to comments here (9)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
JCIDA's game of chicken
Watertown Daily Times JCIDA's game of chicken
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency has decided to play a game of political chicken with the county Legislature, essentially refusing to consider any of the requests made by legislators who are unhappy with JCIDA’s proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.
Members of the agency might want to hope this doesn’t turn into a game of Russian roulette. It’s a certainty, in a showdown between JCIDA and the Legislature, that the chamber with the bullet in it is pointed at the agency’s head.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency has decided to play a game of political chicken with the county Legislature, essentially refusing to consider any of the requests made by legislators who are unhappy with JCIDA’s proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.
Members of the agency might want to hope this doesn’t turn into a game of Russian roulette. It’s a certainty, in a showdown between JCIDA and the Legislature, that the chamber with the bullet in it is pointed at the agency’s head.
JCIDA won't change PILOT
JCIDA won't change PILOT
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010
The proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement could come up for a vote Tuesday night, but nothing's changed with the terms.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency asked that the PILOT be taken off the Jefferson County Board of Legislators agenda Jan. 5. Instead, the agency took questions and concerns from legislators.
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010
The proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement could come up for a vote Tuesday night, but nothing's changed with the terms.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency asked that the PILOT be taken off the Jefferson County Board of Legislators agenda Jan. 5. Instead, the agency took questions and concerns from legislators.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Cape seeks advise from Attorney General
The Thousand Islands Sun reported ~ Jan of 2010 that Mason, Mason & Orvis expressed discontent over a letter Town Of Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban Hirschey sent to State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, asking for an opinion, on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town.
Mason Mason & Orvis had issues because the letter was sent without board approval.
While Mason, Mason and took exception to the portion of Supervisor Hirschey‘s letter that reads
“It’s my understanding that the Town board members with contracts will abide by your opinion”
The two conflicted Board Members Mason & Mason Say They Will Not Abide by Attorney General’s Opinion.
( TI Sun ~ Article #1)
Orvis signed the letter to the attorney general
While Mason and Mason refused they explained that it was because a portion was omitted explaining that Supervisor Hirschey is a former chairman of the Wind Power Ethics Group. Apparently not having a conflict is a conflict.
(TI Sun ~ Article #2)
Below is the letter from Town Of Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban Hirschey
to State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo , asking for an opinion , on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town.
(Letter#1- pg.#1)
(letter#1-pg.-#2)
Informal opinion Given in 1995 on conflicts of interest by assistant attorney general ~ ny state
Vincent Town Board adopted a Code of Ethics 1970
Mason Mason & Orvis had issues because the letter was sent without board approval.
While Mason, Mason and took exception to the portion of Supervisor Hirschey‘s letter that reads
“It’s my understanding that the Town board members with contracts will abide by your opinion”
The two conflicted Board Members Mason & Mason Say They Will Not Abide by Attorney General’s Opinion.
( TI Sun ~ Article #1)
Orvis signed the letter to the attorney general
While Mason and Mason refused they explained that it was because a portion was omitted explaining that Supervisor Hirschey is a former chairman of the Wind Power Ethics Group. Apparently not having a conflict is a conflict.
(TI Sun ~ Article #2)
Below is the letter from Town Of Cape Vincent Supervisor Urban Hirschey
to State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo , asking for an opinion , on wind farm-related conflicts of interest in the town.
(Letter#1- pg.#1)
(letter#1-pg.-#2)
Informal opinion Given in 1995 on conflicts of interest by assistant attorney general ~ ny state
Vincent Town Board adopted a Code of Ethics 1970
Excerpt~
November 16, 1970:
The Cape Vincent Town Board adopted a Code of Ethics that stipulates town officials “shall not invest or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial, business, commercial or other private transaction, which creates a conflict with his official duties.” The Code further directs officials to publicly disclose “the nature and extent” of any financial interest, and “each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of his office or employment.”
Link Here to view ~ Ethics opinion ~ Whiteman Osterman $ Hanna Conflict Opinion Cape Vincent
Jefferson County Board of Ethics opinion #1
Jefferson County Board of Ethics Opinion #2
Link Here to view Code of Ethics adoped in 1970
Friday, January 15, 2010
Cape Vincent back to work on wind farms zoning law
Watertown Daily Times | Cape Vincent back to work on wind farms zoning law
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — The town will move forward with development of a wind zoning law, and quickly.
The Town Council unanimously agreed Thursday night to hold work sessions on the draft law that came out of the town's Wind Committee.
But that decision came after a divided vote that rejected a six-month wind farm development moratorium proposed by new Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey. New Councilman Brooks J. Bragdon also supported the measure, while Councilmen Mickey W. Orvis, Donald J. Mason and Marty T. Mason voted against it.
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — The town will move forward with development of a wind zoning law, and quickly.
The Town Council unanimously agreed Thursday night to hold work sessions on the draft law that came out of the town's Wind Committee.
But that decision came after a divided vote that rejected a six-month wind farm development moratorium proposed by new Supervisor Urban C. Hirschey. New Councilman Brooks J. Bragdon also supported the measure, while Councilmen Mickey W. Orvis, Donald J. Mason and Marty T. Mason voted against it.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wind farm PILOT plan suspended
'ISSUES OF CONCERN': County, at IDA request, takes resolutions off agenda; request again up for debate
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
It's back to the drawing board with the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm.
The Jefferson County Board of Legislators did not vote on the agreement Tuesday night as planned. Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency surprised the legislators by asking that the resolutions dealing with the PILOT be deleted from the agenda.
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
It's back to the drawing board with the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm.
The Jefferson County Board of Legislators did not vote on the agreement Tuesday night as planned. Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency surprised the legislators by asking that the resolutions dealing with the PILOT be deleted from the agenda.
Graham opposes 'slick lawyering' subsidy deal
Link--> here <--to the original article
By ROBERT BRAUCHLE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
The Watertown City Council, and more specifically Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham, has big issues with the economic benefits being offered to the developers of the Galloo Island Wind Farm project.
The mayor has lashed out on his WATN 1240-AM radio show, his blog and Monday night at the City Council meeting against the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement because, he says, it will minimize the amount of sales tax that flows to the city.
By ROBERT BRAUCHLE
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
The Watertown City Council, and more specifically Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham, has big issues with the economic benefits being offered to the developers of the Galloo Island Wind Farm project.
The mayor has lashed out on his WATN 1240-AM radio show, his blog and Monday night at the City Council meeting against the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement because, he says, it will minimize the amount of sales tax that flows to the city.
Cape Vincent ~ Owner of wind turbine appeals permit decision
Owner of wind turbine appeals permit decision
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — The owner of a personal wind turbine on County Route 7 has appealed a state Supreme Court decision upholding the town Zoning Board of Appeals' revocation of the permit that allowed the turbine to be constructed.
Roger D. Alexander has appealed the Dec. 3 decision by Judge Hugh A. Gilbert to the state Appellate Division, Fourth Department, according to documents filed at the Jefferson County clerk's office.
Link to original
Owner of wind turbine appeals permit decision
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
CAPE VINCENT — The owner of a personal wind turbine on County Route 7 has appealed a state Supreme Court decision upholding the town Zoning Board of Appeals' revocation of the permit that allowed the turbine to be constructed.
Roger D. Alexander has appealed the Dec. 3 decision by Judge Hugh A. Gilbert to the state Appellate Division, Fourth Department, according to documents filed at the Jefferson County clerk's office.
Link to original
Owner of wind turbine appeals permit decision
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Vote on wind farm PILOT up in air
GALLOO ISLAND: Legislators may give a thumbs down if it comes to vote; rules suspension needed first
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010
The proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm could be voted down today by the Jefferson County Board of Legislators — if it even comes to a vote.
The Planning and Development and Finance and Rules committees never held votes on the PILOT, so the full board must vote to suspend the rules to consider the resolution without committee approval.
By NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010
The proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm could be voted down today by the Jefferson County Board of Legislators — if it even comes to a vote.
The Planning and Development and Finance and Rules committees never held votes on the PILOT, so the full board must vote to suspend the rules to consider the resolution without committee approval.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Lyme wind law petition ruled valid
Watertown Daily Times | Lyme wind law petition ruled valid
Lyme wind law petition ruled valid
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010
CHAUMONT — State appellate judges sided Wednesday with a lower court in determining that 10 Lyme town residents presented a valid petition last year to require a supermajority to pass a wind energy facility law.
The petition was signed by residents who thought the town zoning law had "excessive" setback requirements that stifled development of wind power. But the board rejected it after concluding the signers did not represent 20 percent or more of the total acreage in the town.
Lyme wind law petition ruled valid
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010
CHAUMONT — State appellate judges sided Wednesday with a lower court in determining that 10 Lyme town residents presented a valid petition last year to require a supermajority to pass a wind energy facility law.
The petition was signed by residents who thought the town zoning law had "excessive" setback requirements that stifled development of wind power. But the board rejected it after concluding the signers did not represent 20 percent or more of the total acreage in the town.
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