Hartsville pushes to become lead agency in SEQR

Hartsville, N.Y.

The town of Hartsville is exercising its rights for more control over a environmental impact statement that will be done in connection to wind farm studies.

Supervisor Steve Dombert said the town board unanimously passed a resolution to make a formal request to the Department of Environmental Conservation to become the lead agency conducting a state environmental quality review act at its Wednesday night meeting.

The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency is slated to carry the study out, but town officials agree that it’s in the best interest to have the town take over the responsibility.

“We feel that the town has a good chance at becoming the lead agency ... we think it will give us better oversight of the process and we will directly make decisions over the adequacy of the areas in the study,” said Dombert, adding, “It will give us much more control over issues we are the most concerned with.”

If SCIDA opposes it, which I have every reason to believe they will, the DEC will then decide and chose who is more appropriate,” said Dombert.

“The IDA has been dragging their feet and we want to take this thing over,” said Trustee Benjamin Ray.

The board is currently looking into a wind farm impact on property values, noise and municipal compensation. Hartsville officials have been in contact with Prattsburg and Cohocton officials for input on potential problems and agreements.

Dombert said he expects changes to the town wind farm laws to come.

Hartsville enacted a one-year moratorium on wind farms in February, but Dombert said he would like to see it lifted by the end of summer.

He also noted that all costs associated with the SEQRA will be billed to Aeon, the German based company interested in a project there.

John Reynolds, an Aeon project manager, was on hand to observe the meeting and answer questions.

A special meeting wind meeting will take place at the town hall at 7 p.m. June 24.

Officials also made decisions over maintenance issues at the town hall and discussed the recent lawsuit.