Wind opponent charged with harassing Hammond official

JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

HAMMOND — A member of Concerned Residents of Hammond has been charged with harassing town Planning Board member Crayton L. Buck, 78, of Oak Point Road, after the July 27 public hearing on local laws to regulate wind turbine construction in the town.

Shane L. Marsaw, 33, of 1127 County Route 6, was charged with second-degree harassment and is scheduled to answer the charge Thursday in Town Court.

According to Trooper Mark D. Schellenburger, Mr. Buck reported the incident July 30, alleging that Mr. Marsaw and another person, who was not charged, orally harassed him about testimony he had made at the hearing. Mr. Buck told state police that the harassment escalated until Mr. Marsaw pushed him, causing Mr. Buck to lose his balance.

At the hearing, Mr. Buck criticized Concerned Residents for its anti-wind law perspective and behavior. The group subsequently called for Mr. Buck's resignation from the Planning Board.

Planning Board Chairman Donald W. Sunderland resigned at last week's Town Board meeting, citing the actions of a fellow board member and the town board on wind energy issues.