Under that definition, Windhorse Power was received as a public utility. When the new law is proposed, wind facilities will not be defined as "essential services."

Disbanding the PANEL

Talk of the closing deadline has brought up the idea of dissolving the appointed Citizens Wind Advisory Committee.

The committee was appointed in July 2006 to put together recommendations regarding the effects of wind turbines so the council could draft a law. That was accomplished last February, shortly before the 12-month moratorium was extended.

"There are a lot of opinions in the town," said Relation. "I don't want the Advisory Committee to be seen as writing the law. It is the responsibility of the Town Board."

"They've done their job," agreed Councilman Francis Carter.

Bill Klock, a committee member, and Barbara Peacock disagreed.

"I would urge the board not to dissolve the committee," Klock said. "I think it would be foolish to do so."

"The community has worked with you through the committee," said Peacock.

But Relation worried how the committee might be viewed by the community.

"Probably 70 percent of that committee is involved in an Article 78 (lawsuit) against the town right now, too," he said. "I can see both sides of this."

Peacock suggested the committee could answer any questions the Town Council might have during the final stages of the law.

"We could ask them, whether it is still the Advisory Committee or not," Relation said.

He said some members of the committee have long demonstrated a distrust in the Town Council's ability to make a sound decision.

For now, the committee stays, but it will be revisited at next week's Town Council meeting.