Linda Lamountain, who sat on a committee to revise the original law, said she couldn't understand why there were restrictions on outdoor wood boilers and not on pellet stoves, which she said burn more dangerous materials.

She asked the council to explain the difference.

Councilors said the public hearing was to gather information from the public, not to answer questions.

Alluding to environmental concerns that outdoor wood boilers are more of a health concern than regular wood stoves, Ron Lamountain said wood boilers are actually more environmentally friendly because they rely on local resources and not oil from the Middle East.

Walter Rickert, who lives in the hamlet of Peru, said he was concerned with the regulations that prevented anyone in the hamlet from owning an outdoor wood boiler. He has owned one for 10 years and has never had a complaint from town officials, he said.

Lamountain suggested dealing with the situation as an ordinance and not a law so each situation could be dealt with individually.

The town has had a moratorium on outdoor wood boilers for the past two months, but it will expire this week.

Councilors chose not to renew the moratorium but will await advice from the town attorney.

jmeyers@pressrepublican.com