Prattsburgh pulls wind farm deal

Prattsburgh, N.Y.

Wind farm issues are back to square one in Prattsburgh.

The Town Board on Thursday rescinded a legal settlement with wind farm developer Ecogen approved in mid-December, and took the first step toward enacting a moratorium on any wind farm-related development for six months.

The board favored rescinding the December settlement drawn up by former town attorney John Leyden, saying it had not been discussed by all the board members and gave the developer the ability to set up the wind turbines at will.

New Supervisor Al Wordingham, councilmen Steve Kula and Chuck Shick, and new Councilwoman Anneka Radin-Snaith voted to rescind the earlier settlement with Ecogen. Councilwoman Stacey Bottoni voted against the measure.

The board also voted 4-1 to begin the steps required to enact a moratorium on wind-related measures in the town, which include holding a public hearing before a ban can be put in place. The purpose of the moratorium would be to allow the board to set up regulations governing wind farm development, according to the town’s new legal counsel, Ed Brockman.

Brockman said moratoriums are designed to give a board time to consider a matter from both sides. Anyone who feels a moratorium is harmful can ask the board for an exemption, or go to court, Brockman said.

Bottoni voted against the proposal because it did not automatically exempt the Ecogen project.

The majority of the board said rescinding the settlement and preparing for a moratorium are the best ways to provide for the safety, well-being and future financial benefits to the town.

When some residents questioned whether the turbines posed problems, resident Richard Joki said he was offered money by the developer’s representatives if he didn’t complain about any noise.

“Why would they do that, if they didn’t know there’d be noise?” he asked.
Wind farm supporter Cathy Socola said it appeared as if the board was throwing away a chance to add to the town’s tax base through the development.

She said the federal government could decide to put the turbines up “and walk all over us.”

“But that’s what’s happening now,” Wordingham said. “Not the federal government, but Ecogen is. We want to be treated fairly… we have to regain control of our town. We don’t want to drive them out. We want to be treated with respect.”

Wordingham said he will offer Ecogen a chance to sit down with the whole board and reach an agreement.