October 3, 2017
New York

Watertown lawmakers vote to oppose area wind farms

Tuesday, October 3, 2017 | www.wwnytv.com

Watertown’s city council voted unanimously Monday night to oppose building wind farms near Fort Drum that could disrupt the Army’s radar or airspace.

Lawmakers said they are not against wind farms in general, just when it comes to Fort Drum.

This move echoes opposition from the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, state Assemblywoman Addie Jenne and the North Country Regional Economic Council..

“While I personally support the governor’s initiative to promote wind farm projects throughout New York state, we just don’t want it to happen at the expense of Fort Drum,” Mayor Joe Butler.

“We recognize the importance of Fort Drum and we recognize the importance of training and airspace that’s close by,” council member Mark Walczyk said.

Council members also voted to spend $110,000 to modify the municipal arena roof to prevent damage from sliding snow, which Butler says was a design flaw from the arena’s renovation.

Butler said the city will try to get at least something to help pay for it from Stantec, the company that performed the renovations.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/10/03/watertown-lawmakers-vote-to-oppose-area-wind-farms/