June 28, 2007
New York
New York
After a public hearing Monday attended by more than 150 people, Meredith’s proposed law regulating wind-power projects will likely undergo more revisions, Meredith Supervisor Frank Bachler said Wednesday.
“There were over 50 speakers at the public hearing, and I guess I heard them loud and clear,” Bachler said. “Most were in opposition to the present proposed local law.
“I really did listen very carefully,” Bachler added. “Most of the comments weren’t too bad and almost everyone was very polite, but I think we are probably going to have to continue to work on the proposed law.
“I am not comfortable voting on it the way it stands,” he continued. “We need to make some changes or request another moratorium.”
Bachler said the next Meredith Town Board meeting has been rescheduled for July 17.
It was originally scheduled for July 10, he said, but was moved ahead one week to allow the Delaware County Planning Board time to review and approve the proposed wind ordinance at its meeting July 11.
Bachler said he has asked town attorney Rosemary Nichols to begin the process of getting approval to extend the moratorium.
“If we make changes or request a moratorium, we are going to need another public hearing,” Bachler said.
Bob Rosen, Alliance for Meredith spokesman, said the public hearing Monday could be “submitted as a model” of how to hold such a meeting.
“Everybody spoke respectfully, and the town board members listened carefully to everyone,” he said. “Frank and the town board are to be commended for running the public hearing in an exemplary manner.”
Rosen said that of the 55 opinions voiced and read at the meeting, only nine appeared to be in favor of industrial wind.
“Forty-six people got up to say other things,” Rosen said.
Rosen said David Hood spoke eloquently and asked the town to extend the moratorium another six months or wait until after the November election to make a final decision.
Meredith’s current moratorium on wind-power projects expires July 11.
By Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau
28 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/28/meredith-wind-law-may-get-changes/