By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer
August 02, 2008 07:11 am
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PLATTSBURGH -- The Town of Plattsburgh has placed a one-year moratorium on the installation of outdoor wood boilers.
The moratorium is intended to give town officials time to set regulations and standards for the use of outdoor wood boilers and those that use similar fuel sources.
Assistant Town Code Enforcement Officer Steve Imhoff said it will allow time to establish setback distance and smoke-stack height standards to decrease adverse effects to neighbors.
The intention is not to outlaw outdoor boilers but to regulate them, he said.
Outdoor wood boilers already in place are not affected by the moratorium.
At a public hearing on the proposed local law, Dr. Scott Mischler of 3 Wildflower Lane in Morrisonville said he felt a moratorium is premature.
"My biggest concern about this moratorium is that we're coming up to a year where fuel prices are at a record high. I think this will put a great hardship on the people of Plattsburgh."
Many people are looking at alternative heating methods this year and will do so next year, Mischler said.
Former Town Councilor John St. Germain questioned why it would take a whole year to establish such regulations.
"I think this could be done within three months," he said.
Councilor Gerard Renadette said the moratorium allows the town to take a proactive, rather than a reactive, stance.
It is the Town Council's responsibility to see that neighbors are protected from fire and smoke from improperly located or installed boilers, he said.
"I understand the need for alternative sources of heat. My hope is the moratorium won't last a year."
Councilor Martin Mannix said the development of regulations should be placed on a fast track.
Imhoff noted that any town resident can present a hardship case to the Town Council.
The moratorium makes offenders guilty of a violation and subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 or 15 days in jail. Each week a violation continues is to be seen as a separate violation, subject to the same penalties.
EQUIPMENT FEE
In a related matter, the Town Council has dropped the fee for a permit to install new heating equipment, through Jan. 1.
"We want to have all the flexibility possible to allow people to heat their homes and reduce costs," Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said.
"They will save from $25 to $50, depending on the system."
New heating systems still need to be inspected, Imhof said. That is necessary to prevent people from suffering harm if they use an unqualified installer.
ENERGY FAIR
Also, the town is hosting an Alternative Energy Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Plattsburgh Town Hall, 151 Banker Road.
dheath@pressrepublican.com
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