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COMPLIMENTARY
Town of Otsego Holds Meeting To Discuss Renewables, Law By CASPAR EWIG
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FLY CREEK n Wednesday, February 7, the Town of Otsego held an informational meeting to air the many issues surrounding possible installation of solar energy systems within the town boundaries. The meeting was held, in the words of Town Supervisor Ben Bauer, “to get input into drafting amendments to the land-use law” to allow installation of solar energy systems and to address concerns raised by citizens. In holding such a meeting, the Town of Otsego joined a growing chorus of upstate communities raising serious questions about, and pushing back on, New York State’s renewable energy policies. “My goal is to make sure our local interests are well represented, and that anything that happens here is to our own local benefit,” Bauer said in an email after the meeting. A similar informational meeting was held recently in the Town of Springfield and, in another instance, a coalition of community-based environmental groups filed comments calling for reconsideration of the Public Service Commission’s plan for replacing power plant emissions with large-scale renewables. The Town of Otsego’s informational meeting was structured in two parts. Initially, attendees heard presentations by Steve Helmin and Keith Schue, two persons familiar with current green energy issues. Thereafter, written questions directed to the Town Board or the speakers were presented and gave rise to some spirited, though not contentious, discussion. INSIDE ► POETS TO READ AT MORRIS CAFE, page 2 ► WOODWIND CONCERT IN SPRINGFIELD, page 3 ► COCO BAKERY MACARONS RECALLED, page 3 ► APRIL 20 SET FOR EARTH FESTIVAL AT mcs, page 3 ► HELP GHANAIAN’S DREAM COME TRUE, page 4 ► UNDERSTANDING OUR NATIONAL DEBT, page 4 ► SPRINGBROOK HAS READY WORKFORCE, page 5 ► BEES A HOBBY? page 8 Follow Breaking News On
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Helmin, a resident of Glen, New York and co-chair of an organization known as GlenFARMland (Families Allied for Responsible Management of Land), accented that towns and communities such as Otsego should push New York government and regulatory bodies to address the issue of climate change without destroying the environment of the community. “The danger,” he said, is that failing to oversee the development of green energy “could result in an undesirable energy spawl.” He cautioned that the town should remain vigilant because often developers will negotiate with the landowners, making unsupportable promises and only advising the town after their plan has already been created. Helmin further pointed out that local communities are faced with an additional problem—municipalities really only have a say in projects below 20 megawatts. For larger projects, Albany has the right to override Home Rule and disregard local laws if those laws are deemed to place an “unreasonable burden” on the development of solar farms and other aspects of renewable energy. Finally, property can be taken by eminent domain for transmission powerlines, a capability that may even be extended to transmission for individual renewable projects if legislation proposed by the Governor is enacted. Helmin emphasized that, in addition to having the town carefully craft local land-use or zoning laws, residents should continually organize and petition the state to only adopt renewable energy policies that are consistent with local agricultural and other natural uses. Keith Schue, a native of Cherry Continued on page 8
Photo by Emily Hilbert
Grayson Hazzard puts out a test fire at the Cooperstown Fire Department’s “Meet Your Local Heroes” event during the Cooperstown Winter Carnival.
Carnival All About Community By EMILY HILBERT COOPERSTOWN he Cooperstown Winter Carnival, held February 2-4 under the auspices of the Cooperstown Lions Club, drew large crowds to its multitude of events, which stretched for three full days. One thing that stood out, going from venue to venue, was how much the weekend was focused on the community. Cooperstown is a popular tourist destination year-round, but especially in the summer. Since its inception 50 years ago, the Winter Carnival has been a way for those who brave the winters here to have a bit of respite and fun. The following is an overview of some
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of the more popular events on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, February 3 was a day packed with things to do for people and families of all ages. Starting bright and early, the Cooperstown Fire Department hosted “Meet Your Local Heroes,” bringing together various fire and safety departments that community members rely upon to keep them safe. Monica Carrascoso, who led the event, described the Cooperstown Fire Department as “the most well provisioned and well trained in the area.” Speaking with some of these hometown heroes, one is struck by the sense of pride they feel in the services they provide. Michael Molloy, for one, has Continued on page 6
Teen with Multiple Allergies To Advocate in D.C. “Courage at Congress: Advocate for a Cure,” which provides the ONEONTA opportunity to come together ixteen-year-old Devin for two full days of advocacy Sailer, a student at and education. He will receive a Oneonta High School, stipend to assist with expenses. will travel to Washington, D.C. Sailer is allergic to 31 next month to advocate for different allergens: all nuts, all teenagers with food allerpeanuts, tree nuts, peppermint, gies before the legislators and shellfish, several environmental senior U.S. Food and Drug allergies, multiple medications Administration officials. and stinging insects. Exposure to any of these can be fatal. He is a member of Food Allergy Research and Education, Just one bite of a piece of which works on behalf of the 33 Valentine’s chocolate with nuts million Americans living with or peanut butter could put him life-threatening food allergies. in a life-or-death situation. “I participate in Teen Talks Sailer applied to be among every couple of days over Zoom 170 of his peers Continued Photo by Monica Calzolari who will make their Oneonta High School student Devin Sailer is headed to Washington, D.C. with other teens across the voices heard March 4-6 during next month for “Courage at Congress: Advocate for a Cure.” Continued on page 7 By MONICA CALZOLARI
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THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890