Hamlin still studying wind towers

Close to 30 people attended a May 4 meeting in the Town of Hamlin to learn more about wind towers and meteorological towers (METs) but less than half a dozen attended and spoke out at a public hearing that followed a week later.

"We had LaBella Associates come down and do a presentation on wind towers and they discussed environmental concerns as well as noise and bird migration issues," Town of Hamlin Supervisor Denny Roach said. "We were told by a member of our conservation board that studies conducted indicated that if wind towers are sited closer than one-half mile from a shore line it could impact migratory patterns."

"I think the meeting was enlightening but I wish more people had attended," he said.

The town is moving forward with gathering information that could allow the possibility of wind tower construction in the future. "The town would reap some financial benefit from having towers placed here," he said.

Wind towers are not considered permanent structures as they have a life expectancy of 30 to 40 years and even when they are in place, land surrounding the towers is able to be farmed.

At the May 8 public hearing on a local law to allow for the placement of a MET, Roach said one person was in favor of the towers, one was asking general questions and five individuals were opposed to the towers in general.

The MET that is being discussed for the town would be sited on property in the northwest corner of the town. The towers will be used to gather and measure wind data - speed, frequency and direction - to see if Hamlin would be a viable site for wind tower construction. The MET proposed is six inches in circumference and is 197 feet tall. It could be up to two years before enough data could be collected to determine if Hamlin would be home to wind derived energy towers.

"People were concerned that wind towers could negatively impact property values," he said.

"I think wind towers could prove to be beneficial to the town as a revenue source," he said. "They do have to be sited correctly to minimize impact on migratory birds and on residents.

Town officials will likely be voting on June 12 on the MET tower local law.

May 21, 2006