Wind law stalls at Prattsburgh meeting

Prattsburgh, N.Y.

The Prattsburgh town board took no action on a draft wind utilities law Tuesday, instead opting to review two draft laws, including one with changes approved by the board 4-0 in July.

Councilwoman Stacey Bottoni objected to the July version saying it contained language she didn’t like. But Councilman Steve Kula said the version contained chang-es Bottoni approved before leaving the meeting last month. Bottoni left the July meeting early to attend a Town of Italy board meeting with wind farm representatives where she voiced her personal support for the 34-turbine Ecogen project.

Ecogen plans to put 16 turbines in the town of Prattsburgh and 18 in Italy, in Yates County.
Bottoni said the board should review the July version and a different draft containing her preferences and decide at their Sept. 22 meeting in the hamlet of Ingleside.

In another wind-related matter, board members approved setting up an escrow account to handle funds set aside by Ecogen to hire engineers, consultants and attorneys for the project. The account will range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000, although “reasonable” expenses above the maximum will also be paid by Ecogen.

Board members approved 4-1 setting up a limited development corporation (LDC) separate from town finances to handle funds donated by organizations for projects within the town. The LDC was proposed in June by Ecogen to receive incentive money for special projects such as the fire department or school.

Ecogen attorney Robert Burgdorf told the board Tuesday night Ecogen would use the LDC to fund the lease of a used ambulance from the town of Cazenovia. The ambulance would assure emergency care in the event of a mishap during the construction of the Ecogen project, Burgdorf said.

Councilman Chuck Shick opposed the LDC, but Kula said the special fund was not specifically tied to Ecogen.

However, Kula and Burgdorf clashed later when Burgdorf said he would not answer any questions posed by Kula.

Burgdorf said Ecogen went to considerable time and expense to answer Kula’s questions at a May informational meeting. Kula left the May meeting, saying the format had been changed from what had been originally promised.

When Burgdorf said Tuesday he would only answer Kula’s questions if presented by the board, Shick repeated the questions as motions.

The board agreed 3-0 to Kula and Shick’s request that Ecogen make current maps and other details available, with Bottoni and Councilwoman Sharon Quigley abstaining.

The board then approved 4-1 the second Kula-Shick request that Ecogen identify its Web site listing leaseholders, in accordance with the new state Code of Ethics requirement. Bottoni voted against it, saying she didn’t understand the requirement cited by Kula.

While the interchange led to some laughter from those attending the meeting, Bottoni said she wished to read a statement she had prepared earlier charging attendees are rude and abusive. She claimed she represents the vast majority of people in the town of Prattsburgh and complained she is misquoted in the press.

“What do we owe you?” she asked the residents at the meeting. “What have you done for me? Or Sharon? Or Harold (Town Supervisor McConnell)?"

Kula said he represents hundreds of residents unable to leave Prattsburgh if the turbines make living in the town intolerable. A number of people, including himself, opposed to the current project have the financial means to move if necessary, Kula said.

“I’m not here for the 15 people sitting in this room,” he said. “I’m here for the people who can’t move if they want to.”