HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-1-19 Special Meeting (1)Town of Enfield
Special Town Board Meeting
Enfield Community Building
Monday, July 1, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson
Mimi Mehaffey, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Excused: Town
Councilperson Virginia Bryant.
Supervisor McGee called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Town Clerk Linton lead the assemblage in
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Privilege of the Floor: Marcus Gingerich of Enfield thanked the Board for their work reviewing the
proposed wind law. One of the things he’s noticed while reading articles on noise from wind farms is
that the noise is often referred to as only an annoyance. This tends to minimize the importance of
something that is very annoying.
Old Business:
Solar Law: Supervisor McGee reviewed that at the last special meeting to discuss the solar law, the
Town Board decided to move forward with a public hearing and enlist the help of Town Attorney Guy
Krogh to prepare the public hearing notice, outline of steps in the process, and help with SEQRA and
239 referral. She suggested setting a public hearing for July 24 and asking Attorney Krogh to start the
process of submittal to the county for review.
Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter, that the Town Board is in
agreement they are at a point with what they consider to be the final public version of the solar law and
that they will go forward with a public hearing on July 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Enfield Community
Building to hear public comments; and she will proceed with having the Town Attorney follow through
and provide any documents that are necessary.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye,
Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Bryant excused. Carried.
Wind Law: Supervisor McGee explained that the Town Board previously reviewed the first few pages
of the proposed law, and asked to change the tone of the wording to be more positive. The Town is
looking for wind and solar laws that will be safe and compatible for Enfield residents.
It was agreed that Jude Lemke would make notes of the discussion, rewrite where necessary, and
redistribute the document to Town Board members. Some items of discussion were:
Page 8 - Under Article II – Permits, Section 2, A Permit Requirements, 4, No “new” Small WTG shall
be…
Page 10 - Is there a way to get full disclosure from lease holders? Jude will ask attorney.
Page 10 - Should all distances be consistent?
Page 11 - Fire Protection Plan - could this be “beefed up”? Jude will ask attorney.
Page 19 - Add additional language to f. Escrow Account to absolutely ensure the Town will always have
funds to cover expenses so no taxpayer dollars will ever be used.
Enfield Town Board Special Meeting, July 1, 2019
Councilperson Carpenter asked for thoughts on extending the moratorium on large scale wind farms for
30-60 days. He would be in favor of this. Councilperson Mehaffey stated she would also be in favor of
this. Supervisor McGee and Councilperson Sims would not be in favor of extending the moratorium.
Special meetings to continue review of the proposed wind energy facilities law were scheduled for July
9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Building; July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Building; and July 24
following the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Building.
The Board plans to end the review by the end of the meeting on July 17, 2019; vote on hiring an attorney
for a desk review; and then asking Attorney Krogh to do his review.
Announcements: A letter was received from New York State notifying the Town they will get extreme
weather money this year.
Adjournment: Supervisor McGee adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice M. Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk
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