Galloo PILOT going to full board

Pass.

Like a move in a card game, Jefferson County legislators on the Finance and Rules Committee opted not to weigh in on the proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for Galloo Island Wind Farm during their meeting Tuesday night.

Instead, three resolutions related to the PILOT and the project will go to the full board next Tuesday with no recommendation.

The vote was a 3-3 tie until Legislature Chairman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River, supported the resolution to move it to the full board. Normally, Mr. Blankenbush does not vote in committees.

Legislator Kent D. Burto, R-West Carthage, made the motion to send it to the full board without a committee vote.

"We've had a couple of people out of commission and I'd like to give them extra time," he said. "They can take the next week to make up their mind."

Two members of the Finance and Rules Committee, Robert J. Thomas, R-Glen Park, and Gino M. Zando, R-Deferiet, have missed recent board meetings due to injury and illness. Mr. Zando attended a meeting last week and Mr. Thomas attended Tuesday night.

Legislators Carolyn D. Fitzpatrick, R-Watertown, and James D. St. Croix, D-Watertown, agreed with Mr. Burto.

"It's a convoluted, emotional issue," Mrs. Fitzpatrick said. "We should not decide on it with seven legislators. We should all have a fair vote."

Legislators Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, Jennie M. Adsit, R-Watertown, and Mr. Thomas voted against the resolution.

"It's the responsibility of the committee to make a decision one way or the other," Mr. Gray, who is Finance and Rules chairman, said.

Mr. Thomas said he wanted Mr. Blankenbush to vote on passing the resolutions along to the full board. But he is thankful for the extra time to consider the proposal.

"I have to represent both sides and when it comes time to make a decision, I have to make a decision," he said. "It was my first meeting back and I've been brought pretty well up to date, but I haven't been around to hear the comments."

About 100 members of the public attended the meeting and a dozen voiced opinions on the PILOT. In a show of hands, about 80 supported the PILOT.

"The only newfound tax revenue on the table is this project," said Peter R. Daly, Sackets Harbor. "We all take advantage of what is legally allowed in tax breaks and exemptions on our tax returns. This developer is no different."

But some objecting to the PILOT asked the board to pursue its original goal, a uniform policy for all wind development.

"Isn't it arbitrary and capricious to be talking about a PILOT for this project, not a uniform contract that may be available for other developers?" asked Robert E. Aliasso Jr., co-chairman of the Coalition for the Preservation of the Golden Crescent and the Thousand Islands Region.

The full board will consider the PILOT agreement at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the board chambers in the county's historic courthouse, 195 Arsenal St.