Hammond committee to mull wind law

HAMMOND — A Wind Advisory Committee will be named to modify the town of Hammond's wind facilities law.

In an effort to find an acceptable compromise to the current law before the expiration of a recently established six-month moratorium, the town board voted 4-1 Monday night to create a new committee. Councilor James E. Langtry was opposed.

"I like the wind law we've got now," he said.

Applications for positions on the committee may be made by sending a letter of interest and resume to the town office. A special meeting has been scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Hammond Free Library to review the applications.

Supervisor Ronald W. Bertram said the idea to establish the committee came from the public.

"It was a big issue during the campaign. People asked me what I would do about the wind law if elected. I don't think people expected the law to get passed before we took office," he said. "I have problems with the current law. The wind law we have right now makes references to findings, facts and studies, but I haven't been able to verify them. This committee will address these issues and others."

Mr. Bertram said he hopes the board finds applicants of varied opinions who are able to modify the law into something residents can agree on.

"I hope we get a mix of people on the committee," he said. "I've said it 1,000 times and I mean it. I am not against wind. I'm just not happy with the current law and the process by which it was created."

Mr. Bertram said he is unsure whether any appointments will be made at the special meeting as the board has not yet determined how many members the committee will have.

"We'll look at applications. I'm unsure if we will make appointments at this time," he said.

The advisory committee likely will be working with Iberdrola Renewables, Lowville, a wind energy company that hopes to build 75 windmills in the area.

The company sent two representatives, Jenny L. Burke and Daniel Murdie, to the Hammond meeting Monday. Ms. Burke, a business developer, said she would be more than willing to work with the town to create a law that would be appropriate for Hammond.

"We could certainly provide feedback as to what is a reasonable distance for setbacks and noise levels. We have vast experience in this field and would be happy to share," she said.

Mr. Bertram said he is glad that Iberdrola is making its presence public. He said that if the company is interested in bringing windmills into the town, it should be involved in the discussions.

A moratorium was imposed on the current wind facilities law in early January after members of the Concerned Residents of Hammond filed a lawsuit against the former Town Council.

The citizens group is opposed to the town's previous efforts to enact an ordinance regulating commercial wind turbines. After the town board enacted a wind ordinance in December, before three new board members took office in January, the group challenged the Town Council's completion of the state environmental quality review assessment.

The lawsuit also cited conflicts of interest at the local and state levels, as well as several violations of the state Open Meetings Law. It asked for a temporary restraining order against the town's wind law.