W’ton board votes yes to wood boiler regulations
HEATHER SACKETT, News Staff Writer
WILMINGTON — After a second public hearing, which at times grew heated, the Wilmington town board voted 4 to 1 Tuesday night to enact a local law regulating the use of outdoor wood boilers. Councilman Darin Forbes cast the lone vote against the local law. Board members Rarilee Conway, Stephen Corvelli, Dawn Stevens and Supervisor Randy Preston voted in favor.
The new law enacts more stringent regulations for the devices than the previous law that was proposed at the Oct. 14 meeting. Under the new law, if an OWB is located within 200 to 500 feet of a residence not served by it, it must have a furnace stack higher than the peak of that residence, not to exceed 35 feet. The previous proposed regulation was within 100 to 300 feet of another residence.
The setback requirement from another residence was also increased from 100 to 200 feet. Outdoor wood boiler use is limited to the months between September 1 and May 31. Those residents with existing wood boilers have one year to bring their devices into compliance with the law.
A first violation of the law could result in a fine of up to $500 and 10 days in jail. A second offense could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and 30 days in jail, in addition to having a permit for the OWB revoked. A second offender would not be eligible for another permit.
Regulation of the devices, which have been touted as an alternative means of providing heat at a time when the price of oil is climbing, has been a contentious issue at recent Wilmington town board meetings. After listening to remarks from 12 people at its Oct. 14 public hearing, all of whom spoke against the regulations as drafted, the town board decided to table the issue until its November meeting.
About 25 people packed the town hall for the second public hearing Tuesday, where about seven people spoke out against the regulations.
Wilmington residents Scott Avery and Nancy LeBlanc were among those who spoke against the law. They submitted a memorandum to the board members in which they called prohibiting the use of OWBs during the summer months “arbitrary.”
“I do not have any alternative to domestic hot water,” Avery said. “I can’t do without a fire in June. It’s cold here in the Adirondacks.”
He urged board members to “please go back to the drawing board.”
But outdoor wood boilers have also been criticized for contributing to poor air quality and causing health problems, especially when used incorrectly. Supervisor Randy Preston called the wood smoke from OWBs “lethal.”
“If you have a wood boiler, you’re not happy about this. We know that.” he said.
Several local municipalities, including the town of Jay and village of Saranac Lake, are grappling with setting regulations. In September, Jay enacted a five-month moratorium on wood boiler permits. The town of Chesterfield has had regulations in place since May 2007.
Wilmington’s regulations will take effect as soon as the law is filed with the New York Secretary of State.
POSTED: November 20, 2008
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The new law enacts more stringent regulations for the devices than the previous law that was proposed at the Oct. 14 meeting. Under the new law, if an OWB is located within 200 to 500 feet of a residence not served by it, it must have a furnace stack higher than the peak of that residence, not to exceed 35 feet. The previous proposed regulation was within 100 to 300 feet of another residence.
The setback requirement from another residence was also increased from 100 to 200 feet. Outdoor wood boiler use is limited to the months between September 1 and May 31. Those residents with existing wood boilers have one year to bring their devices into compliance with the law.
A first violation of the law could result in a fine of up to $500 and 10 days in jail. A second offense could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and 30 days in jail, in addition to having a permit for the OWB revoked. A second offender would not be eligible for another permit.
Regulation of the devices, which have been touted as an alternative means of providing heat at a time when the price of oil is climbing, has been a contentious issue at recent Wilmington town board meetings. After listening to remarks from 12 people at its Oct. 14 public hearing, all of whom spoke against the regulations as drafted, the town board decided to table the issue until its November meeting.
About 25 people packed the town hall for the second public hearing Tuesday, where about seven people spoke out against the regulations.
Wilmington residents Scott Avery and Nancy LeBlanc were among those who spoke against the law. They submitted a memorandum to the board members in which they called prohibiting the use of OWBs during the summer months “arbitrary.”
“I do not have any alternative to domestic hot water,” Avery said. “I can’t do without a fire in June. It’s cold here in the Adirondacks.”
He urged board members to “please go back to the drawing board.”
But outdoor wood boilers have also been criticized for contributing to poor air quality and causing health problems, especially when used incorrectly. Supervisor Randy Preston called the wood smoke from OWBs “lethal.”
“If you have a wood boiler, you’re not happy about this. We know that.” he said.
Several local municipalities, including the town of Jay and village of Saranac Lake, are grappling with setting regulations. In September, Jay enacted a five-month moratorium on wood boiler permits. The town of Chesterfield has had regulations in place since May 2007.
Wilmington’s regulations will take effect as soon as the law is filed with the New York Secretary of State.
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