July 10, 2013
New York

Hornellsville board focuses on wind power development

By Neal Simon | The Evening Tribune | Posted Jul 10, 2013 | www.eveningtribune.com

Arkport, N.Y. – A week after meeting with two area economic leaders about attracting new businesses to the community, Supervisor Ken Isaman said Tuesday the town is serious about bringing wind power development to Hornellsville.

“We studied (wind farms) back four or five years ago. We even sent out a survey before we got involved,” Isaman remarked at Tuesday night’s town board meeting. “The people who returned the questionnaires were in favor.”

James C. Johnson, executive director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, and James W. Griffin, president of the Hornell Industrial Development Agency, told officials July 2 that companies are looking for fair and consistent laws and zoning rules when considering new development. Local officials believe there is a natural resource unique to Hornellsville that makes it a prime candidate for energy development: good wind.

“The draft that comes through our valley, is very good. We have a cross-draft, like there is nowhere else,” said Jason Emo, Hornellsville’s highway superintendent.

Isaman called the wind in Hornellsville, “steady and constant.”

Isaman said there is less controversy associated with wind turbines in the present time than there was a few years ago, saying in some areas they have become “part of the landscape, just like telephone polls.”

“I think we are probably going to encourage, and look at ways to be involved in wind (energy) in Hornellsville,” he added.

In meeting business, two bids were opened for Hornellsville’s 2012 1500 Dodge pickup truck. Councilmen accepted the highest bid, which was $23,000 from Simmons-Rockwell.

Among the highway department projects completed in the last month, crews graded and rolled Tobes Hill, Lower Glen Avenue and Laine, Flanagan, Clark, Satterlee, Crites and Beltz roads.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/10/hornellsville-board-focuses-on-wind-power-development/