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March 9, 2019

suncommunitynews.com

• EDITION •

Plattsburgh nixes cryptocurrency moratorium

GOVERNOR SIGNS ‘RED FLAG’ GUN LAW » Gun law Cont. on pg. 2

By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER

PLATTSBURGH | The City of Plattsburgh has lifted its 18-month moratorium on new commercial cryptocurrency mining operations. The 5-1 decision came last Thursday night after nearly 12 months of deliberations on how best to protect ratepayers from negative impacts of mining operations’ electricity usage, noise pollution and potential fire safety hazards. “It didn’t make sense to keep the moratorium for longer than we needed to,” Councilor Patrick McFarlin (Ward 5) said. “It was put in place so we could pass legislation, we passed that legislation, so there’s no need for the moratorium. “If it becomes a problem again, I’m sure we’ll have to deal with it.”

RATEPAYERS PROTECTED

McFarlin, who also serves as president of the Municipal Lighting Department board, first introduced the legislation Jan. 17 to lift the city’s moratorium. It had remained on the table ever since, until the council’s affirmative vote Feb. 28. McFarlin believes that the city’s ratepayers are now protected from overages related to cryptocurrency mining. » Cryptocurrency Cont. on pg. 7

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, joined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California), signed into law the so-called “Red Flag” bill Feb. 25. Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Clinton County decries proposed changes to state aid, incentives Legislators oppose governor’s proposal By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER

The City of Plattsburgh’s 18-month moratorium on commercial cryptocurrency mining operations has been lifted. Stock photo

City, town quarrel over environmental review Battle over Rugar Street annexation continues By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER

PLATTSBURGH | The City of Plattsburgh has hit a potential roadblock in its push to annex property on Rugar Street from the Town of Plattsburgh, and a state mediation is now on the horizon. The Plattsburgh Town Board unanimously passed a resolution Feb. 21 rejecting the city’s request to serve as the lead agency on a SEQR, a procedural environmental review necessary to move forward with filing a formal annexation petition. After hearing of the town board’s rejection, the City of Plattsburgh Common Council subsequently voted last Thursday to in turn contest the town’s request to serve as lead agency. That decision sends the conflict to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), who will weigh the dispute and rule in favor of either municipality. This dispute between the two Plattsburghs marks the latest in a series of hurdles as the city attempts to annex 230 acres of cityowned property from the town.

Asked if the town was using the SEQR as a way to purposely delay the city’s filing of a petition, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman told The Sun “unquestionably no.” “We have said right from the beginning that our municipality follows process and we are a community that has a rich history of sound planning and discovery using process, and that is what we will continue to do,” he said. “This is for the environmental impact. We are prepared to lay our case out before the DEC if the City of Plattsburgh doesn’t seem to acquiesce to our request.”

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PLATTSBURGH | Clinton County is not in favor of proposed changes to state Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM).

The Clinton County Legislature passed a symbolic resolution last Wednesday signaling their opposition both to $59 million in proposed cuts to state aid and incentives to local government included as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal, and to a subsequent 30-day budget amendment, which would require counties to make up the difference in funding using projected internet sales tax revenue. » State aid Cont. on pg. 2

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LEAD AGENCY ARGUMENTS

“The Town of Plattsburgh feels, in doing a comprehensive review of the request, that we are much more capable of addressing that process and doing the deep-dive in regards to the environmental impacts,” Town Supervisor Michael Cashman told The Sun Feb. 23, citing the town’s close proximity to the uptown commercial corridor. The town’s senior planner, Trevor Cole, noted that the town has documentation related to the area, traffic studies, prior SEQRs and other planning, dating back years. Mayor Colin Read retains that the city is better positioned to conduct the review. “We had proposed we act as the lead agency because we have been renewing permits,

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The Town of Plattsburgh has rejected the City of Plattsburgh’s request to serve as lead agency on a procedural environmental review necessary to move forward with an annexation petition. File photo Pictured above is the MLD site plan for a portion of the Rugar Street property. granted SEQR status on that property before, sion, the two municipalities will now have to and documenting and doing the analysis for proceed with “this more time consuming and that land we’ve owned for many decades,” he cumbersome process as demanded by the town.” told The Sun in an email, referencing a recent “We regret that this will further delay and move to renew permits at the old compost hinder projects for which we believe there are plant on site. “Hence, from a legal and prac- significant benefits that will accrue to our entire tical perspective, we are in the best position region, most notably the Town of Plattsburgh,” to investigate various environmental aspects Read said. “Meanwhile, we remain ever hopeful of our proposed annexation at that location.” that the town will at some point take us up Read said that as a result of the town’s deci- on our requests for a collaborative approach.” » Annexation Cont. on pg. 6

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