Prattsburgh, N.Y.
The Prattsburgh town board took no action on a proposed tower permit law after holding a public hearing on the law Tuesday night.
A number of residents questioned the need for the law since the town was advised by state officials last winter it could not issue building permits because there were no town laws regulating cellular or wind tower construction.
Town Supervisor Harold McConnell said the permit law is needed now in order to set fees for the permits. Those fees will be determined by another law setting forth regulations for tower construction, he said.
However, Councilman Steve Kula said the current permit law is useless because it does not include the elements it needs to set fees. Kula also criticized town Attorney John Leyden for being absent from the meeting.
“We really need legal counsel on this, and where is Leyden?” Kula said.
Another resident warned the board the fees should not be considered added revenues.
Ruthe Matilsky said any permit fees collected should be dedicated to ensuring construction meets safety and building standards.
Prattsburgh is the site of two proposed wind energy projects.
One developer, First Wind, has proposed a 50-turbine wind farm, while a second company, Ecogen, plans on setting up 16 turbines in Prattsburgh. Ecogen also plans on putting up 18 more turbines in the neighboring town of Italy, in Yates County. The Italy portion of Ecogen’s project is not subject to Prattsburgh’s permits.
The public hearing on the tower permit was one of two public hearings scheduled before the regular board meeting.
The second hearing was on a hazard mitigation plan designed by Steuben County officials. After several comments by the public, the board unanimously adopted the mitigation plan.
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