Two residents welcome wind turbines

TONAWANDA, NEW YORK - The possibility of wind turbines appearing on the Town of Tonawanda's landscape was welcomed by speakers at a public hearing on related legislation.

Only two people stepped forward to speak at the hearing on a proposed local law regulating where wind turbines could be erected. The Town Board plans to vote on the proposal at its Nov. 20 meeting.

"I think the wind turbines idea is a great one," said Mary Metzler of Ensminger Road. "I have been to wind farms here in New York, and they are peaceful, quiet and beautiful.

"They are a good example to our children that we are willing to invest in our future."

Kathy Pawlak, of Oakview Drive, expressed similar views.

"I'm in favor of the wind turbines. They are quiet, clean and fun to watch," Pawlak said. "I also feel we will be able to attract new business to our area with the renewable energy they produce."

The proposed law would restrict wind turbine construction to industrial areas and would require a special-use permit to be renewed annually.

"The town doesn't want wind mills in residential or commercial districts," said Councilman John A. Bargnesi Jr.

Town lawmakers approved a moratorium last December on "wind energy deriving towers and transmission facilities." The subject has been broached in many communities in recent years, and inquiries were made in the Town of Tonawanda.

The General Motors property in the Town of Tonawanda was one of five sites identified following a year-long study of shoreline winds by Erie County and Ecology and Environment of Lancaster to determine the potential for generating wind power.

In other business Monday, the Town Board approved an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will establish a temporary office in the Brighton Golf Course clubhouse.

That site, at 70 Brompton Road, was among 18 considered by FEMA as a place where residents could file claims resulting from the October snowstorm. The office is expected to remain open through Jan. 31.

"They like this area because it was ground zero" of storm damage to trees and utility lines, Robert M. Morris, director of technical support, told lawmakers.