Wind zoning topic of meeting
MORRISTOWN — A small classroom in St. John's parish was filled with curious citizens Wednesday night, gathered to ask questions and discuss zoning for possible wind turbines.
The purpose of the meeting, held by the Wind Energy Committee, was to "put the horse before the cart" and examine possible zoning laws before wind energy companies take a closer look at the town.
"The point is, they are talking to the east and west," Wind Energy Committee Chairman Peter A. Paquette said. "We want to be ahead of the game."
PPM Energy of Portland, Ore., which is part of the Spanish company Iberdrola SA, proposed 50 wind turbines in the neighboring town of Hammond and, according to Mr. Paquette, the company has discussed expanding into Morristown and Oswegatchie.
The Wind Energy Committee has been developing a law to deal with wind turbines since none exists for the town. The committee hopes to have a recommended law for the Town Council to approve by mid-October.
The meeting dealt mainly with buffer zones where turbines will not be allowed. The committee decided to shrink the zones from 500 feet to 200 feet from the coastlines of Black Lake and the St. Lawrence Seaway, but most of the meeting was spent answering questions.
About 25 citizens and committee members discussed property values, taxes, aesthetics and safety, among other topics, and most felt the meeting cleared up their concerns.
Nancy T. Measheaw said many of her questions were answered. Ms. Measheaw said she and her mother live near Black Lake, an area of high elevation in the town. She came to get more information about the process and stages of the possible project.
"I came to find out what we had to do, ourselves, as property owners," Ms. Measheaw said.
Since discussions are very preliminary, the committee could not answer all questions. Mr. Paquette did not know how long it would be before a tower could be erected, how much money it could bring into the town, or whether turbines will ever come to Morristown.
The next committee meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in the town hall. The committee plans to have a recommendation ready and the public is encouraged to attend.
