We are writing to request that the Hammond Town Council postpone its vote on the proposed wind tower siting law for six months, to establish a moratorium for that period and to vigorously address unresolved issues regarding the proposed law.

The single public hearing on this proposed law falls far short of the need to inform the public about the law, and to hear the public's comments and concerns. The proposed overlay district (delineating areas potentially permitting wind turbines) is so broad that it provides little protection for the village area, or the school, with respect to distances to property lines and public highways. In addition, residential conditions and property values of property adjacent to wind turbine sites are at risk. We also ask if there remain unresolved conflict-of-interest issues for the board members who will vote on this law.

Regarding the public hearing: There has been no public information session or hearing where the board presents an overview and explains important elements of the proposed law, the "hows" and "whys" of the setbacks and the overlay district boundary. How can the town board make an informed decision without taking this step? At the public hearing a significant number of speakers expressed concern about or questioned the proposed setbacks which are intended to protect adjacent lands. There is no indication that the board has addressed these concerns.

Regarding setback distances which are intended to protect other landowners from noise from the wind turbines, a maximum increase in decibel levels produced by the wind towers above ambient noise levels needs to be established in order to create workable setbacks from property lines, roads and existing and future building sites. This is essential for the town board to adequately protect its future tax base and the existing welfare of its current inhabitants and their dwellings, as well as future roadside development.

We believe that the proposed overlay district where wind turbines will be permitted should be significantly revised and reduced in size to provide much greater protection for the village area, school and existing residential properties. High-value recreational areas, as well as future developmental opportunities, are at risk with current setback requirements and the proposed overlay zone.

Finally we ask if there are unaddressed conflict-of-interest issues or the appearance of such involving the remaining board members who can vote on this issue in regard to their substantial land ownership in the proposed overlay district. We believe that potential conflict-of-interest issues must be satisfactorily resolved before there is a vote. The fact that the current overlay zone includes the majority of the town does not mitigate the fact that the remaining voting members (or their immediate families) all stand to potentially gain from the law they are prepared to vote on.

We ask that a six-month moratorium be enacted to address these and related issues.

David Duff

Hammond

The letter is signed by three other property owners in the town of Hammond.