Options for seized site considered

FARMERSVILLE— Legislators told Town of Farmersville residents Thursday they hope to find out the value of the wind, oil and gas resources before making any decisions for the future of five parcels that the county seized from a landfill developer in January for back taxes.

Legislator Jerry E. Burrell, RFranklinville, told about 45 town residents, three Town Board members and others concerned about the property that the county intends to sell the parcels and get it back on the tax rolls. But he said the county has not hired a wind energy lawyer and has no intention of shutting the town out on a deal with Noble Environmental.

The wind farm developer, which has been negotiating leases with landowners in Farmersville and Freedom, has constructed a wind farm in the Town of Bliss to the north and is preparing for a 67- turbine wind park in the neighboring Allegany Town of Centerville. When Walt Doty, a resident, asked Burrell why the county is interested in wind farming, the legislator noted that the county must educate itself about wind energy because several other towns in the county may be considering wind farms by other companies.

“I didn’t come here to tell you the county is going to hang onto the property. I was looking at a cooling-off period. This [landfill proposal] tore families apart; it tore friends apart; and it tore the town apart; and it tore the county apart, too,” Burrell said.

He added that if the wind energy and gas are “in play,” the county should know the value of those natural resources to establish an asking price on the property. He noted no need to hurry, since the wind, oil and gas aren’t going away. But he said he hopes the parcels can be sold to separate individuals and restricted from ever being combined again.

Gail Reino, another resident, advised Burrell and Legislator Charles F. Hebdon, D-West Valley, to ask Noble Environmental representatives about the basis for the state attorney general’s investigation of the company.

Some of the residents suggested possible uses for the land, including hunting leases, recreation, farming and converting the site into a county park, as recommended in the county’s 1997 Park Feasibility Study/Needs Assessment Report.

Burrell told the attendees that his Development and Agriculture Committee will seek out more information about the site resources in an upcoming meeting.