SCIPIO - Windfarms, Internet and emergency services took center stage at the Scipio Town Board meeting Wednesday night.

“At this point there is still no word on what the state is doing,” said town supervisor Keith Batman, referring to information from a Shell WindEnergy Group representative, who believed the state was close to issuing regulations affecting windfarms.

Batman said the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Department of Energy had been discussing restrictions in present regulations over land use for windfarms but are now coming to terms on the issues.

Scipio is planning to possibly install wind towers if a temporary anemometer (met) tower now in place provides positive data. The board, concerned about short and long-term issues connected with wind energy, has formed a committee to examine environmental, legal, financial, energy conservation, and quality of life issues.

The met tower, a test tower, gathers data for the company that erects it, but any environmental impact review authorized by the town would include some data. It takes at least a year to collect data to see if installing the actual windtowers would be viable. The process could take as long as three years.

A viable project could include 50 wind turbines, whose contracts would be negotiated with individual property owners, with no cost to the town. Revenue for the town comes from permit fees and a signifcant tax base increase, possibly 75 percent, reducing tax levies on individual property owners.

The town has been consulting with the Town of Fenner, in Madison County, which already has a windfarm and reported significant financial benefit.

“This does not mean we would immediately move to support the project,” Batman said. “First, landowners must sign up, and second, the town must look at the issues.”

Community meetings and independent legal, financial, and environmental consultants would provide the board with the necessary information.

County legislator George Fearon, at the May 14 meeting, had suggested checking on the turbines' potential for multiple uses such as radio or Internet.

The town also considered the possibility of making broadband Internet available for town residents by encouraging broadband companies to provide the service at a reasonable price. A broadband committee has been formed.

The board also discussed emergency services provided by the Scipio Fire Department. It was noted SFD can't transport anyone, while Rural Metro only has two ambulances for the entire county. The possibility of joining Southern Cayuga Ambulance, which serves Genoa, Ledyard, and Venice, was revisited. The board agreed when the next budget is under consideration, an informational session with the public and Southern Cayuga would be good. Board members were concerned about the possibility of increasing fees to use the service and wanted control.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net