May 12, 2014
New York

Hanover Town Board hears public on proposed wind tower

By Susan Chiappone, Chautauqua Correspondent | The Buffalo News | May 12, 2014 | www.buffalonews.com

SILVER CREEK – Town board members heard from neighbors on Angell Road who oppose wind tower construction on a farm.

The public hearing for a height variance for the wind tower was held Monday during the regular meeting of the Hanover Town Board.

Mark Martin requested that he be granted a variance for the tower which would produce energy for his home and farm. Three residents from Angell Road opposed the construction of the tower based on noise and potential interference with cell phone and satellite signals.

Padma Kasthurirangan, a representative of Niagara Wind and Solar said that the noise generated would not exceed 60 decibels. She said that there has not been any evidence of interference with signals.

The residents also complained that the flickering shadow of the wind turbines could damage the health of people with migraine headaches or seizure disorders. The representative said these issues were also unfounded.

Martin had previously received a height variance to build the tower to 132 feet. Based on new drawings the tower is now 133.5 feet. Town board members reserved a decision. Town Councilman Bernard Feldman said he approved the previous variance but he had not heard from any neighbors at a public hearing on the topic.

In other matters before the town board, Supervisor Todd Johnson said he has been talking to state and local officials and is hopeful that the town will receive additional funding to dredge the creek near the boat launch.

The town has applied for a permit to dredge the area. Permits are required from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Board members voted to hold an executive session to discuss pending legal matters as they relate to the town’s sewer system. They invited the town clerk, town bookkeeper and an engineer for the plant’s systems to attend the executive session.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/12/hanover-town-board-hears-public-on-proposed-wind-tower/