Grafton Proposing Wind Energy Law

by Bea Peterson
The Grafton Town Board introduced a proposed Wind Energy Law at its regular meeting on Thursday, May 14. The purpose of the Law “is to guide the construction and operation of wind energy facilities, small wind energy facilities and wind measurement towers in Grafton subject to reasonable conditions that will protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Any type of wind energy facility will require a permit from the Planning Board. The application for a permit must have a site plan prepared by a licensed professional engineer. Noise measurements, compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act, visual impact analysis, an avian impact study, archaeological and architectural impact analysis and a fiscal and economic impact analysis must all be completed as part of the permit process.
The next step in the process is a pre-application meeting with the Building Inspector and consultants retained by the Town for application review, followed by a meeting with the Planning Board. When the permit request reaches the Planning Board, it will hold at least one public hearing on the application.
The law, proposed Local Law #3 of 2009, clearly outlines all the steps and requirements necessary for any sort of wind energy device in Grafton. A copy of the proposed law is available for review in the Town Clerk’s office.
A Public Hearing on the law will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, June 11, followed by the regular meeting of the Town Board at 7.
In other business last Thursday evening the Board authorized the Town Supervisor to sign a two year contract with Waste Management for refuse and recycling.
Summer Youth Program dates were set for July 13 through August 14. Registration date is Tuesday, June 2, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.