June 2010 ~ Lyme Supervisor Scott Aubertine clarified his position on Wind Power

Watertown Daily Times Revenues from wind turbines can benefit towns

By SCOTT G. AUBERTINE
SPECIAL COMMENTARY
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010


Editor's Note: The following is a letter written by Lyme Town Supervisor Scott G. Aubertine to a constituent clarifying his position on wind power development in the town:
We have done an exhaustive study, contacting over a dozen town supervisors, assessors and appraisers who have wind turbines in their towns. The information we have received contradicts many of the articles being published in various anti-wind articles and the Watertown Daily Times.

Many of the comments we received stated that there was no noticeable decline in property values or sales, and in the couple of cases that did see a decline, they came back up in just a couple of years. It was expressed that the revenue received by the towns has provided opportunities to apply that revenue to the budget, thereby reducing taxes for the people. In addition, the revenue received by the school, fire departments and special interest groups has provided a tremendous ability to not only save additional tax dollars, but to build new, or maintain and improve, existing community facilities such as public boat launches, playgrounds, beaches, ball fields and tennis and basketball courts. All important cogs in promoting and increasing tourism in our town. In addition, the revenue generated from wind farms has built new highway garages and purchased highway equipment. Again, saving the taxpayer those costs.

To be honest, the tourism industry in our town has decreased steadily and drastically in the town of Lyme with the loss of available shoreline. Years ago our hotels, since razed, were filled with boaters, hunters and fishermen who came to our town for those particular recreational and tourism opportunities. With the loss of available shoreline and hunting and fishing property, our main opportunities for "tourism," in addition to the seasonal residents, come from enticing people into the community on a weekend that they would not normally be here. I am not saying that the loss of the available shoreline and public hunting and fishing land is a bad thing, I am only stating an obvious fact.


It appears the opportunity to promote tourism only exists in providing events and activities such as the Memorial Day 12K Run, the Lyme Triathlon, the Al Winnie Car Show, the Tour De Chaumont Bay, the Firemen's Field Days and the weekend events provided by the Lyme Community Foundation. The renovations and improvements needed in our recreational facilities such as the new town Little League baseball fields and the village beach and tennis courts could provide new opportunities for concerts, craft shows and tournaments.

More than one supervisor reminded me that even though the construction of new homes provides income for the local realtors and contractors, it means increased burdens and costs to the town and school in supplying the services that are presently provided. It was mentioned that more people mean more work as those homeowners eventually require year-round road, sewer or water maintenance, and the revenue from taxes does not always offset those increased maintenance and renovation costs. It only necessitates the raising of taxes or fees to provide those services.

For example, a meeting I attended in February 2008 with the county, JCIDA and the four other town supervisors and school superintendents from the municipalities that have proposed wind projects, showed that with a standard Wind PILOT, the town of Lyme would receive approximately $100,000 per year based on 62 proposed turbines. Obviously, with my alternative setbacks there would not be that many turbines, and with the proposed law, there would have been even less, if any. To achieve that additional revenue of $100,000, the town would need to see 268 new homes, assessed at $250,000 (based on our $1.49 per thousand town tax rate), to realize that $100,000 revenue figure.

Many of those officials we heard from stated that the siting of the turbines was the most important thing. When I asked about their setbacks, many were much less restrictive than even my alternative proposal. Of all the supervisors I spoke with, only one stated that if he had it to do all over again, that he would not. However, he did state that he was fortunate that their town had many large corporations and businesses in it that already had PILOT agreements with the town, and that their residents paid very little in taxes. He stated he really did not need the additional revenue from the wind farms, and that he felt their setbacks (1,500 feet) were too lenient.

To answer your question of "What happened?," I have stated before that I feel it is important that an elected official remain open-minded. As a board, we receive much information, some the public is not privy to, and I feel that when we receive such information, we have to look at it, digest it, and determine if it is in the best overall interest of the town ... even if it goes against our original opinion. It is my belief that to refuse to deviate from your opinion, when new information arises, is closed-minded and may, in the long run, be detrimental to the town.

I hope this helps clarify my stance, and I thank you for your time and consideration.