Rensselaerville Wind Study Committee

Meeting Minutes of Meeting #4  March 10, 2009 (Approved)

 

 

Present:  Noel Abbott, Peter Sedlmeir, Harold Marcinak, Melissa McGrath, provisional member Dennis Pitts

Absent:  Alan Wilson

Recorder:  Melissa McGrath

 

Key Topics Discussed

  1. Approval of Minutes of Meeting #3 held March 3, 2009.
  2. Melissa discussed NYS Town Law Section 272-a (11).  The effect of adoption of a Comprehensive Plan is that all town land use regulations must be in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.  The Committee reviewed a listing of provisions of the Town of Rensselaerville Comprehensive Plan (ÒPlanÓ) potentially relevant to the work of the Committee.  The Committee discussed the importance of using the Plan as a guide for its work; the ruling of the Supreme Court Albany County regarding the Town of Rensselaerville Zoning Law; that the Zoning Review Committee was in the process of revising the Zoning Law; and the importance of following the Plan with respect to the working and recommendations of the Committee. Audience comments were taken throughout.  Dennis recommended that the Committee pass a resolution regarding its use of the Plan and it was determined that the Committee will review the Summary and consider a resolution regarding relationship of the CommitteeÕs work to the Plan at its next meeting.
  3. The Committee reviewed the Categories of Focus (revised 3/10/09).  Dennis commented on the importance of the Intermediate Wind category and requested responsibility for that category.  The Committee discussed the differences between Large and Intermediate wind; limitations the amount of wind generated power that could be sold to a power company by a residential operator; possible ways to define Intermediate wind; oil used as coolant in the turbines and related fire and environmental hazards; need for town fire departments to have special hazmat equipment to deal with potential fire and oil spills; and that more research is necessary to determine how the Committee will define intermediate wind.
  4. The Committee discussed the possibility of asking the Town Board to extend the wind power facility moratorium due to expire June 4, 2009.  The Committee compiled a listing of pros and cons of requesting that the Town Board extend the moratorium with respect to commercial wind. A copy of this listing will be circulated to the Committee.  Whether to request an extension of the moratorium will be considered at the next Committee meeting.
  5. Team Member Reports
    1. Peter reported on technical priorities reviewing the ÒTechnical CategoryÓ listing distributed to the Committee with comments and discussion from audience members though out. A document titled Technical Category was distributed to the Committee The recent breakdown of the Altoona turbine was discussed.
    2. Noel reported that Melissa had provided a listing of bills referencing wind power recently introduced in the New York State Legislature.  It was discussed that certain of these bills include provisions that would institute a moratorium on certain wind power construction in New York State. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50PM.

 

 

Action Items

  1. Melissa will provide information on the Court decision regarding Rensselaerville Zoning Law to the Committee.
  2. Dennis will obtain NYSERDA interconnect agreements.
  3. Melissa will send the link to the NYS Attorney General Code of Ethics for Wind Power to the Committee.
  4. Noel will review the NYS bills provided by Melissa and report on them at the next meeting.
  5. Noel will compile the ÒPros and ConsÓ of requesting an extension of the moratorium and circulate it to the Committee.
  6. Committee members will continue to work on their areas of focus.