Public Hearing December 26, 2007

This Public Hearing was called to order at 7:29 pm, with the following present:

Supervisor: Charles Howell

Council Members: Phil Buckhout, Gary Goodnough

Greg Rury, Gary Whitten

Other Town Officials: Town Clerk Judith Rowlands, Bookkeeper Rebecca Rury,

Town Attorney Dave Thurston, 2008 Town Supervisor Keith Batman,

2008 Council member Mark Malys, Town Historian Sandie Gilliland,

Transfer Station Attendant DJ Grady, Justice Brian Dugan, County Legislator George Fearon.

an estimated 30 members of the community

For Shell Wind Energy: Kate Pacelli, Dave Miller

The purpose of this Public Hearing is to review and discuss Proposed Local Law # 2 for 2007, to permit and regulate temporary devices for scientific monitoring of meteorological conditions.

Supervisor Charles Howell and Deputy Supervisor Gary Goodnough presented a brief summary of the proposed local law. Discussion followed. Kate Pacelli and Dave Miller explained that Shell Wind temporary met towers are about 100 feet high; they are brought in on flatbed and installed for an estimated one to three years, and then removed. The purpose is to determine viability of a future wind farm in this area. The expectation is that there would be no more than four installed.

Discussion followed with a question and answer time. The information gathered by these met towers would be the property of the company that erects them, although an environmental impact review, a public document, would include some of the data collected. Concern was expressed regarding the effect on property values, if a wind farm is established. Dave Miller said that there are not enough projects at this time to show a pattern.

If a wind farm is determined viable, the projection is that it might include an estimated 50 wind turbines, each an estimated 400 feet high, including the blades. Contracts would be negotiated with individual property owners, and there would be no cost to the town. Revenue to the town would include permit fees, and a significant increase to the tax base (possibly 75%) which would reduce the levy to individual property owners.

Prior to any commitment, community meetings would be held, and the town would hire independent legal, financial, and environmental consultants. The cost of the town’s hiring experts may be passed on to the applicant. Becky Rury described the recent bus trip to a wind farm in the Town of Fenner, where the Town Supervisor reported significant financial benefit to the town and its residents. Although Fenner’s wind farm is about half the number and half the height of the proposed Scipio wind farm, many of the issues would be similar.

RESOLUTION: To adopt Local Law # 2 for 2007, to permit and regulate temporary devices for

scientific monitoring of meteorological conditions. (Howell/Goodnough).

Ayes: Buckhout, Goodnough, Howell, Rury, Whitten. Noes: None

MOTION: To adjourn the Public Hearing at 8:20 pm. (Goodnough/Whitten). All in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Judith Rowlands, Clerk, Town of Scipio