Wind Turbine Hearing Continues in Jefferson

JEFFERSON  –  Comments against commercial wind turbines continued and a public hearing remains open for another month as Jefferson Town Board members hear comments on amending the town's existing wind tower law. This is the third month in a row comments have been taken and more will be received as the town board attempts to give everyone wishing to comment the opportunity. To date, only one person has spoken in favor of wind turbines.

The audience was again reminded that there is no proposed commercial wind turbine project in the town of Jefferson at this time, but there is a wind measuring tower on the property on North Road. 

Those speaking against commercial wind towers feel convinced the MET tower is a precursor to a proposed commercial wind turbine project. Martha Hacklin who spoke earlier against the town considering a project said she now understands that the town is updating its existing law and she urged everyone to get involved in the process to ensure there is a law and that it covers all the bases. She offered to sit on a working committee to that end. 

So did Susan Lazarek, who submitted a letter against commercial wind turbines last month. She said there are four options for the town, live with the existing 14-year-old law, adopt the new amendment, prohibit industrial turbines or go back and amend the law to address the concerns that are being raised. She said she favored the latter one, going through and making all the provisions really strict and protective. She said she would be willing to sit on a committee as well.

Jennifer VanCleef questioned why the town board gets to decide the wind tower issue and why it is not put to a public vote. I don't understand why you get to if there will be a wind turbine in the town and we don't. There are 1,200 people and only five you. If you vote in favor of the turbines you are going to lose a lot of residents. If it goes in, it is going to raise taxes. It is going to ruin this town. It should be a public vote."

Town board members explained they were elected to the town board to represent the townspeople and they will make their decision based on what the townspeople have been saying in their comments. Councilman Ken Cole pointed out that just one person has spoken in favor of the commercial wind towers, which should give people an idea of what the town board is thinking.

Some were upset when those who had already spoken were asked not to speak again. However, the intent was that those comments had already been provided for the record. New comments are welcome. No one spoke in favor of commercial wind towers and the hearing remains open.

In other business, board members passed a resolution to establish a Bond Anticipation Note to pay for two new plow trucks. The bond will be worth 597,376.

There was discussion about the basketball court in the town green, which was recently resurfaced by the highway crew. Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson was looking for a template to redo the lines for the basketball court. However, a private citizen has been making pickleball available on the same court. It was deemed a sensitive issue. The kids do play basketball on the court and have been respectful when the pickleball net has been left up. However, the idea is to have a court for the kids to play hoops, which they do utilize. Someone has also been taping off the boundaries for pickleball. It was decided that no markings would be placed on the court. As one man put it, who used to play hoop on the court, the kids will figure out where the foul line is. Those who are playing pickleball should take the net down once they are finished playing.

The town will also begin negotiations with Teamster Local 294, representing the highway drew. A new contract is needed.

Councilman Don VanValkenburgh said the town needs to look into establishing a policy for insurance that covers those holding events on town property. A policy is also needed to cover the maintenance of sidewalks.

The town will also stop mailing the monthly meeting minutes to individuals. With new technology, they are available online or at the town clerk's office. A motion was made to save the cost of increasing postage and stop mailing the minutes.

There was a short discussion about obtaining poop stations on the town green for pet owners to clean up after their pets. The cost of the stations has been included in a grant proposal. Board members will await the outcome of the grant before making any decision. Someone also suggested the town could host and dog licensing event to get more pet owners to license their dogs.

Board members approved staying with the company that took over the previous company that provides drug testing for the town. The town will sign a contract with the new owners.

Board members also discussed the removal of pine trees on the green which are dying. The trees will be removed. A motion was approved to advertise to have the trees removed.