Holland to study wind power
Anticipating that the year 2008 will bring overtures from various companies interested in bringing wind power to Holland, the Holland Town Board decided Wednesday to set up a subcommittee to investigate the sometimes controversial source of energy.
“The whole country is facing the same issue,” Supervisor Michael Kasprzyk said. He added, “We need to know what the sentiments are in our community. Either way, we need to address the issue.”
Neighboring towns of Sheldon, Boston, Sardinia and Eagle recently have voted for or against commercial wind farm proposals, Kasprzyk said.
He said the subcommittee will include members of the planning and town boards and will need to address whether the board should pass ordinances restricting the location of windmills and what costs a commercial wind farm company would be liable for.
In other business, town officials have learned that their request to reduce the speed limit on Hunters Creek Road to 45 mph has been granted by Erie County. The original request was for a reduction from Sanders Road to Church Street, but the county extended the speed restriction along the rural county road from Vermont Street to Town Line Road.
The supervisor said Hunters Creek Road is in need of repairs and would be dangerous if traveled upon at the former limit of 55 mph.
Marjorie Wiedemann, a resident who organized the hamlet’s first farmers market last summer, offered the Town Board a recap of the fourmonth experiment that took place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday in the town parking lot.
Wiedemann said it was a “rough year,” but she added that 90 percent of vendors have indicated they would return next year.
For improvements, she suggested a permanent banner or sign on Main Street that would alert passers-by to the market.
She also suggested a children’s garden with materials provided by the market and the addition of local musicians. The board said outdoor music would be allowed after 11:30 a.m., following dismissal of most church services in town.
By Eileen Werbitsky
Southtowns Correspondent
13 December 2007
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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