Cape Vincent man erects personal turbine; wants town to cover his legal fees

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By JAEGUN LEE
TIMES STAFF WRITER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15,

CAPE VINCENT — Robert A. Shimp’s 50-foot personal wind turbine is up at last, and it seems the only person benefiting from the feud between him and the town of Cape Vincent is Mr. Shimp’s lawyer.While putting some finishing touches Tuesday on the structure erected next to his 31699 County Route 6 home, Mr. Shimp said all he wants is for the town supervisor — Urban C. Hirschey, who wrote Mr. Shimp a letter two weeks ago asking him to halt this town-approved project — to acknowledge his error and the town government to cover his legal fees.“He still hasn’t apologized,” Mr. Shimp said. “We have a case against the town and we said we would drop it if the town covers our lawyer’s fees.”The exact amount his lawyer will charge him has not been determined yet, Mr. Shimp said, but should be from $1,200 to $1,600.

He hired a lawyer after receiving a letter, dated Jan. 30 and signed by Mr. Hirschey, telling Mr. Shimp he could not install the turbine because the Town Council had proposed a wind moratorium.