COHOCTON - A group of Cohocton residents are concerned town officials are moving too quickly toward approving a proposed wind farm.
Cohocton Wind Watch, which consists of about 25 families and property owners, was formed about a month ago, according to member James Hall.
“We would like to see the town operate on a more beneficial level for the entire community,” he said. “To work together with a wind turbine project in a constructive way.”
The group has many questions, he said. His wife, Judith, who serves as the group's treasurer, gave one example, saying a test tower was erected on Friday without any permits. After questioning the code enforcement officer, and town clerk for proof of a permit, she said they did not have the legal documentation.
Another worry is many of the decisions seem to be made unilaterally by the planning board, the Hall's said, adding some might have other motives.
“It's all basically been done behind closed doors,” Judith Hall said. “Members of the planning board have said it's a done deal.”
At this point, the Halls are not convinced the construction of wind towers will provide significant economic relief, either.
“It boils down to gross revenues that will be 95 percent retained by the corporation,” James Hall said. “The revenue distributed to landholders would be around 5 percent.
“The negotiation as to the actual dollar amount is not even accomplished through negotiation, but by Steuben County Industrial Development Agency,” he added.
CWW hopes to address some of the concerns at an informational meeting 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wayland-Cohocton Elementary School, 30 Park Ave.
“We are hoping to present factual information we've uncovered in several weeks, and to present an alternative plan for the community to consider,” James Hall said.
More specifically, he hopes the meeting will lead to a moratorium.
The proposed wind farm will be constructed by UPC Wind Partner LLC, and calls for 41 2-megawatt turbines. Each will stand about 403-feet high. The project will encompass about 5,775 acres.
For more information about CWW visit it's Web site at http://cohoctonwindwatch.org
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