Rules for hearing on Hammond's wind law were not clear

On July 27, I attended the public hearing for the proposed Hammond Wind Law No. 1, and spoke before the town board. I signed up to speak, as directed by the rules for the hearing. In the Public Notice for this hearing, there was no indication that one could simply write a letter to the town board and have it entered into the minutes. I came to the hearing and spoke.

At this time, I stated that I believed the wind law to be inadequate, and was joined by approximately 45 other citizens who felt the same way. I believe seven people spoke in favor of wind turbines, few of whom addressed the law. Opposition was overwhelming by those in attendance who believed we must be present in order to speak, and many in attendance who did not feel comfortable speaking showed their opposition to the law by applauding.

At the conclusion, Town Clerk Darlene Amyot proceeded to read aloud 27 letters sent to the town board in favor of industrial wind turbines (again, few referred to the wind law itself). There were also three who opposed the law. Most letters were sent by people who were not in attendance, but several were from members of the audience.

This raises several questions. Why was the ability to write in lieu of speaking not announced in the Public Notice? How is it that the predominately pro-wind people were privy to this information, but Concerned Residents of Hammond members and non-CROH members were not? Is it a coincidence that some of the letter writers are either related to members of the town board, or are residents who have signed agreements with Iberdrola?

Make no mistake. People who were unable to attend or were uncomfortable speaking have expressed that they would have written letters had they known they could. Some 240 citizens have already signed a petition asking for a moratorium on the proposed wind law. This petition has been ignored by the town board, but clearly indicates that more than those 45 speakers do not support the law as it is written. Do the math.

The public should have been notified in writing prior to the hearing that they need not attend or speak in person in order to participate. I urge all residents of the Hammond community who did not have an opportunity to participate in the hearing to submit letters to the Hammond Town Board by Aug. 10.

Hammond Town Board, c/o Janie Hollister, 17 Main St, Hammond, NY 13646.

Brooke Stark

Hammond