Moratorium ~ Edsall says I am not going to be Bullied or Intimidated

With a four to one vote, the Cape Vincent town board passed a seven month moratorium on all wind projects, putting a question mark on several planned private windmills. Read more »

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2012 at 11:12 AM EST
There's a new twist in the ongoing debate over wind power in the town of Cape Vincent
The town board Tuesday night passed a seven-month moratorium on such projects.
Industrial wind projects have been a hot-button issue in the town for years and now even individual wind projects are being put on hold.
After a public hearing, the board voted 4 to 1 in favor of the moratorium, putting all wind projects on hold.
A letter was sent last week to six Cape Vincent residents, all of whom already had permits for their personal wind projects.
The letters, sent by town Supervisor Urban Hirschey, said all permits were void because of the pending moratorium.
One of the permits, issued to Robert Shimp, has been declared valid by the zoning board of appeals because of the time and money he's invested in the project.
The fate of the other five permits is unclear.
"At our next meeting, we will take that into consideration," said zoning board member Keith Walker.
Richard Edsall has one of the permits in question.
"I would be happy to compromise, but I'm not going to be bullied or intimidated," Edsall said.
Hirschey declined to comment. Several of the permit holders have obtained legal counsel and say they aren't going away without a fight.