Back to Gary A. Abraham, Esq.

updated 9/2/09

Horizon in Machias, Yorkshire and Ashford

Air is blowing in Ashford, Machias and Yorkshire (Springville Journal, June 3, 2009)

Proposed local laws for siting wind farms in Machias, Yorkshire and Ashford

Wind energy developers want towns to adopt noise limits of 50 dBA, but this level of noise will increase existing sound levels by more than 20 dBA, an increase NYSDEC classifies as "very noticeable to intolerable" -- see CCCC's Backgrounder and wind turbine noise web pages

A local group of property owners (some who live out the area) has formed to boost the Horizon wind farm project in the three towns, and disseminate industry-sponsored information designed to diminish the potential impacts of a wind farm on local residents, and exaggerated local benefits. See S.M.A.R.T.'s website.

Noise impacts are the limiting factor in siting and regulating a wind farm. Wind turbine noise is distinctively annoying and will likely affect the health of some people exposure to chronic immissions of impulsive or modulating noise at relatively low levels that contains a substantial low frequency component, which carries long distances. On August 28, 2009, a letter summarizing the potential for such impacts was sent to the town's counsel.

The Cattaraugus County IDA is proposing to split $8,000 per MW offered by wind developers into $5,000 for a PILOT plan IDA would provide to each taxing jurisdiction (school district, county and host town) and up to $3,500 that would be provided to the host town under a host benefit agreement between the town and the developer. This has the effect of substantially reducing proceeds to school districts (which would ordinarily receive the most because its property tax exceeds county and town taxes) and substantially inflating proceeds to towns (because they get up to $3.5K/MW in addition to their portion of the PILOT). Hearings on the plan are scheduled for 6:30 PM on Tues., Sept. 8 (at West Valley school, 5359 School St., Rt. 240); Wed., Sept. 9 (at the County Bldg. in Olean); and Thurs., Sept. 10 (at the County Bldg. in Little Valley).

Having trouble opening files with Acrobat Reader?

This is probably the result of a setting within

Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. To change the setting:

1. Select Edit/Preferences/Options.

In the most recent version, select Edit/Preferences/Internet.

2. Disable the entry: "Allow fast web view".

3. Save the changes and reopen the web browser.

Now the PDF is displayed.

Another method is to right-click on the link, then save to disk or directory.

Find the file in the place you saved it and double-click on it.

It should open in Acrobat Reader independent of your web browser.