Council holds hearing and meeting and nears boiler vote
Posted September 18, 2008
By John T. Ryan
A public hearing on the proposed Outdoor Wood Boiler (OWB) law and a Town Board meeting were held on September 8th. During the public hearing some residents complimented the board for having drafted workable compromise legislation while other residents questioned the need for the law.
The Peru Town Board has enacted three moratoriums prohibiting outdoor wood boiler installations over the past several months. In at least one situation a moratorium expired prior to a succeeding moratorium taking effect. Two residents who have OWB applications pending asked why their applications had not been acted on during the period between moratoriums. Evolving technology was another concern. Wood pellet and gasification stoves are believed to emit reduced pollutants. Some residents questioned why they need to be restricted. Another resident suggested that the board publish a list of the specific boilers meeting town standards.
Councilman Cortland Forrence appeared to summarize the feeling of the Town Board when he explained that the Board has worked long and hard on the law while taking public input and researching the issues. Forrence favors passing the law as proposed though he did say some minor changes reflecting issues raised at this public hearing could possibly be made. Once the law is in place he would welcome amendments. He explained, “We’ll have the opportunity to amend this law and make it better.” He said he was concerned with the length of time the moratoriums have been in place saying, “People want to buy the better stoves and put them in. They can’t do that while the moratorium is in place.”
The proposed law will prohibit new outdoor wood boilers in the hamlet (including two existing boilers) and within 750 feet of the hamlet. Boilers outside the hamlet will be permitted, but they will be regulated by building permits. Residents outside the hamlet who currently have a boiler in place will have the opportunity to apply for a town permit to operate their boilers until the year 2023.
Following the public hearing and a lengthy executive session the Board:
• Passed a resolution directing Supervisor Donald Covel to present certain employee retirement documentation at the October 16th board meeting.
• Stated that it planned to vote on the Outdoor Wood Boiler law at the October 16th meeting.
• Accepted a bid of $3,566 from Conroy and Conroy to purchase the town’s 99 Dodge pick-up with plow. Four bids were received in the amount of $1,252, $1,808, $1,961 and $3,566.
• Awarded a bid of $516,516 to Fuller Excavation for a water transmission upgrade.
• Heard a report from Supervisor Covel that he expected insurance costs to increase about 10% in the 2009 budget.
Posted: September 18th, 2008 under Town Board News.