Shannon and Jill Levee questions to the Cohocton Planning Board

Levee
5164 Lent Hill Road
Cohocton, New York 14826

Town of Cohocton
Planning Board
Cohocton, New York 14826

To Whom It May Concern:

Residing at 5164 Lent Hill Road in Cohocton, we have great interest in the Cohocton Wind Project. As residents researching the windmill information available to the public by ardent supporters such as the Town of Cohocton and UPC and concerned citizens such as Cohocton Wind Watch, we cannot help but recognize the conflicting facts presented. We cannot help but be confused. As requested at the Joint Planning Board Meeting of May 4th by Board Chairman Fox, we are submitting our questions and concerns in writing.

1. Supporters claim that windmills are not “that loud,” equivalent to a refrigerator, and cite Fenner towers as the example. Since Cohocton towers will be both larger and greater in number than those in Fenner, what specific noise dbs increase will be known? Since UPC information disagrees with some outside sources, such as Fenner residents themselves, what guarantees will be made in writing to the residents of Cohocton hills?

2. Concerning the property values of Cohocton taxpayers residing on the affected hills, what guarantees will the Town of Cohocton or UPC offer to homeowners whose views will now be only wind towers from the home’s windows, including front, back and side views? How can the Town of Cohocton and UPC claim this will not affect our particular home’s value as we will be virtually surrounded by the sight and noise of the towers? What evidence is available to support this claim?

3. We understand that the Town of Cohocton Board passed laws they believed to be in the best interest of Cohocton residents in regard to property lines, dwellings, roads and noise. However, we have already been contacted by UPC to sign-off on the 500 feet limit from our property line. First, was the Board aware of this? Secondly, what is the Town’s position; do they support this? Lastly, will the Town claim “Hardship” and simply work around us by moving the windmill closer to the road?

4. One stressed value of the wind towers is the revenue generated for the Wayland Cohocton School District. Will these be additional monies to the district? Or will this money simply impact the state formula for aid and make us less eligible for state monies, thus cluttering our hills and moving state funds elsewhere?

5. As with some other environmental projects, heavy fines and penalties are established to deter the large, outside corporations from violating laws that are in place. Who specifically will oversee this project to ensure that all present laws are adhered to? Has the Town of Cohocton taken precautions to ensure its laws, any violations, and stiff fines are established?

6. Most importantly to us, on a personal note, we have a two-year-old child and a five and a half year old child. The five and a half year old has a medical history, which includes cardiac and neurological problems, including seizures. Critics claim that wind towers may cause neurological problems or aggravate seizures. What are the specific medical risks for our children from the wind towers? What case studies can our child’s specialists, both cardiac and neurological, reference to be certain that our son is not at any greater risk, living in such close proximity to the wind towers? What would the Town of Cohocton do in such a special case as this to ensure their safety? What guarantees will the Town of Cohocton and UPC put into writing concerning our children, particularly our son with his medical history?

We appreciate the Board of the Town of Cohocton reviewing our concerns and questions. We hope you recognize the serious implications for our family as our home stands to be virtually surrounded by windmills. This was not the case when we built our home just over 3 years ago. When building our home, the surrounding farmers never presented this topic to us, though they presented their other concerns to us. When submitting building permits and tax information, The Town of Cohocton also never presented this topic to us.

Again, we thank you in advance for responding to our questions and concerns. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Shannon and Jill Levee