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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-31-17-Special-Meeting.pdf Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Special Town Board Meeting Enfield Community Building Wednesday, May 31, 2017 6:30 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Ann Rider, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant Supervisor Rider led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:30 p.m. Privilege of the Floor: Dawn Drake of Enfield stated she supports a moratorium. She has many questions regarding the proposed Black Oak Wind Farm project, such as where the substation will be located, shadow flicker, value of property, and sale to a large corporation. She would like to see a solar law put in place and feels decommissioning for solar farms needs to be addressed. Consent Agenda: Supervisor Rider asked if anyone would like an item pulled from the Consent Agenda. Councilperson Sims asked to have Resolution #2017-38 pulled. Audit Claims: Councilperson Carpenter moved, with a second by Councilperson McGee, to authorize the Supervisor to pay General Fund vouchers #141 to #142 dated May 31, 2017 in the amount of $2,497.85. Discussion: Councilperson McGee requested that the Town Board get together at some time to go over legal bills and check for items billable to Black Oak Wind Farm (BOWF). Supervisor Rider suggested this should be done at a time other than a Town Board meeting. Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried Councilperson Carpenter moved with a second by Councilperson McGee to approve Resolution #2017-38. Resolution #2017-38 APPROVAL OF 2016 JUSTICE REPORT WHEREAS, the Town Board had a Special meeting on January 25, 2017 and, WHEREAS, there are two accounts maintained at the Tompkins Trust Company and, WHEREAS, the books of the Town Justice were inspected and commented on at this meeting but were not accepted by Board Resolution, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the 2016 books of the Enfield Town Justice, Betty Poole be accepted as true and correct and the Town Justice's 2016 annual report be attached and made a part of these minutes. Discussion: Councilperson Sims stated she was not a member of the Town Board at the January 25, 2017 meeting . Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson McGee aye, Councilperson Sims abstain, Supervisor Rider aye. Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law #____-2017 Entitled "Town of Enfield Moratorium on Commercial Wind and Solar Energy Facilities": Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Special Town Board Meeting, May 31, 2017 2 Supervisor Rider opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. She stated a legal ad advertising the public hearing was published in the Ithaca Journal and listed on the Town of Enfield website. Copies of the proposed Local Law were made available at the Enfield Town Clerk's Office. Jude Lemke of Enfield stated she was in favor of a moratorium. She feels a revised wind farm law is necessary and should address issues such as noise limits adequate to protect residents; setbacks that will be safe; clear enforcement processes and procedures for violations; a strong set of complaint procedures; amendments regarding flicker and meaningful notice provisions. She feels the Town needs to have a solar law for commercial solar farms. She would like the solar law to address issues such as visual impacts; landscaping and fencing; setbacks from property lines; decommissioning and hazardous waste disposal; limitations on the amount of land that can be converted to industrial solar farms in order to mai ntain the rural nature of Enfield; mitigation of the effects of glare; and fire safety regulations. Dawn Drake of Enfield stated she was in favor of a moratorium on commercial solar and wind energy facilities. Beverly Gingerich of Enfield thanked the Board for their time spent on studying wind and solar impacts. She urged the Board to pass the moratorium giving time to revise the wind law and consider the safety, health and quality of life of Enfield residents. Mimi Mahaffy of Enfield thanked the Board for their work and urged them to pass the moratorium to have time to prepare a solar law and revise the wind law. Marcus Gingerich of Enfield stated he was in favor of a moratorium. He felt many issues need to be addressed regarding the wind law, such as a clear process of submitting an application. He expressed serious concerns about decommissioning solar panels and felt removal should be addressed. He would like to see visual issues addressed. Martha Fischer of Enfield asked the Town Board to postpone a decision on a moratorium for one month as she felt many people didn't know about the proposal. She would like a chance to educate around the community. She also reminded everyone there is a group working to help homeowners conserve energy in Enfield. Ron Riddle of Enfield stated he supports a moratorium. He feels more research needs to be done and the safety of neighbors should be considered. Gabe Newhart of Enfield stated he supports a moratorium 100%. Nancy Spero of Enfield supports the moratorium and feels this gives time to step back and make sure things are the way the Town wants them. Thought should be given to development. Supervisor Rider closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m. Councilperson Carpenter asked for discussion time about the moratorium process. Supervisor Rider stated if there need to be substantial changes to the draft moratorium, another public hearing would need to be held. Councilperson Carpenter asked if there were not substantial changes, would there be a vote at the next Town Board meeting. Councilperson McGee stated she has started preparation of a resolution and will have it ready for the next Town Board meeting. Town Attorney Guy Krogh has submitted the proposed wording to Tompkins County, but they have not yet responded with comments. Councilperson Sims feels a resolution will establish the intent of the moratorium. Reasons for a moratorium would be to develop a solar law, update the wind law, and complete the Comprehensive Plan. Councilperson Carpenter will meet with Attorney Krogh regarding several concerns he has with the moratorium and let Town Board members know if he would like to have any changes made. Town of Enfield Public Hearing and Special Town Board Meeting, May 31, 2017 3 Privilege of the Floor: Marcus Gingerich of Enfield asked about the status of the letter being sent to BOWF. Town Clerk Linton mailed the letter Friday, May 26, 2017. Adjournment: Supervisor Rider moved with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice Linton, RMC Enfield Town Clerk