Residents speak out against wind
HENDERSON — A public forum hosted Wednesday night by the Town Council on proposed changes to the zoning law became an outlet for many residents' fears about a wind energy project still in its infancy.
People packed the hall of the Henderson Fire Department and Free Library building for the forum, organized to gather input from the public as the council ponders changes to the town zoning law that would make regulations more friendly to a possible wind project.
Many residents directed questions squarely at developer Sherret E. Chase, vice president of development for United Wind Energy, Mahwah, N.J., whose application as Stony Point Wind Energy LLC to the town Planning Board for three meteorological test towers was approved earlier this month.
Debbie Fargo, Lighthouse Road, asked Mr. Chase why his company hadn't signed the Wind Industry Ethics Code developed by state Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo as a voluntary measure for wind developers. She also presented the council with what she said were an additional 91 signatures of residents against wind energy development, to add to the 157 she submitted previously.
Alex James, Snowshoe Road, wanted to know whether the company would take any measures to protect the property values of landowners adjacent to a wind farm, if one becomes a reality in the town.
Margaret Golovey, Snowshoe Road, wanted to know why there was so little information available online about Mr. Chase, United Wind Energy, and any previous projects they'd worked on.
"It makes me very uncomfortable that an outfit like this has so much influence" over the lives of town residents, she said. She said she wanted more information about "Mr. Chase, his experience in the field, the company he works for and the prior projects he's been involved with."
Mr. Chase, who has regularly attended meetings of the Town Council and Planning Board addressing the possible revisions of the zoning law, responded from his seat at the back of the hall.
"I appreciate all the comments. I'm listening, and I'll respond at another time when it's more appropriate," he said, to a chorus of comments and jeers from the crowd.
Some voiced concerns that the proposals crafted by the town Planning Board at the council's request were tailored to meet the developers' desires. Several said they wanted candidates running for election to the Town Council to clearly state their positions on wind farms in the town.
But not all the public comments about the possibility of a wind energy project were negative.
"I think they're pretty; I know most people don't," Linda Miles said. "Not everybody thinks they're ugly. Not everybody thinks they wouldn't be a tribute to our community." Ms. Miles added that she didn't believe there was definitive proof showing wind turbines had negative health effects, and that wind as a source of energy for the nation was preferable to fossil fuels imported from "countries that hate us."
Still, the overwhelming sentiment among speakers was opposition to turbines coming to town.
"My husband and I are dairy farmers," said Elaine Streeter, Route 178. "I see on the map (brought by Mr. Chase) that my land was declared as suitable for wind towers. Our land is not up for grabs at any price!"
Mrs. Streeter said her family would not give up its way of life.
Robert E. Ashodian, a member of the town Planning Board and Board of Assessment Review who lives on Harbor Road, has in previous meetings presented a measured and mediating voice on wind development. He urged the crowd not to take his comments as representative of the feelings of those boards, then urged residents and the council in the strongest terms to keep turbines out of Henderson.
"This is a unique part of the world," he said. "It is the finest scenic recreation area that I have ever seen. It is worth preserving. Do not do anything that puts our only economic resource at risk."
After more than two dozen speakers voiced their views, town Councilman David E. Perry told the crowd that the council wants to pass another moratorium on wind-farm development that would last through July 2010, to extend a ban now in effect that expires Oct. 27. That would allow more time for input from seasonal residents of Henderson, he said.
A public hearing must precede a vote by the Town Council on any proposed changes to the zoning law.
