Wind Turbine Ordinance Proves Controversial In New York Town

At a packed, joint meeting of the town and planning boards of the town of Meredith in Delaware County in upstate New York on Thursday, March 29, local activists questioned why the two boards chose to go into close session to continue the dialog.

"Keitha Capouya, Meredith Planning Board chairwoman, said the planning board has spent almost a year researching industrial-scale turbines. She said the research focused on wind power in Europe and that it found two of the biggest concerns are noise and shadow flicker from the moving blades.

The proposed ordinance places strict limitations on turbines, including a height of no more than 400 feet. It also calls for turbines to be placed no nearer than 1,600 feet from neighboring property lines and 2,500 feet from off-site residences. Another provision would require developers to compensate neighboring landowners who have a loss of value in the sale of their properties that is caused by the turbines."

"About 80 people attended the joint meeting at the Delaware County office building, officials said."

"Krystine Hilton-Hadley, Alliance for Meredith spokeswoman, said the group has gathered the signatures of more than 800 residents and taxpayers who want to ban large turbines but support smaller ones for individual or farm use."

"At the meeting, the boards went into executive session without a reason given by Town Attorney Rosemary Nichols, said Supervisor Frank Bachelor."

"Bachler said the purpose of the joint meetings is to have Planning Board members explain the rationale behind the regulations they have written.

"Hilton-Hadley said that it was about an hour into the session when the two boards convened an executive session and left to meet in a back room.

"We contacted Camille Jobin-Davis of the Open Government office in Albany, and she said that absolutely, they broke the law," Hilton-Hadley said Friday. "We want to make sure that the people of Meredith know what's on and get involved."