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Learn about outdoor wood boilers at upcoming info meeting
By Paul Crossman
KINDERHOOK — For the past several weeks the historic village of Kinderhook has been in turmoil over the possible enactment of legislation banning or limiting the construction and use of outdoor wood boilers (OWBs) due to negative health effects. Though no laws have yet been passed, the Village Board has been looking at regulations passed by other towns around both the state and the country, and the boilers have been a hot issue during several board meetings.
For this reason, Glenn Smith, the village code enforcement officer and vice president of the New York State Building Officials Conference, has decided to hold an informational meeting for town and village officials in an effort to help clear some smoke on the issue and come up with the best possible solution for all members of the village.
The Columbia Greene chapter of NYSBOC is sponsoring the meeting, which will include representatives speaking on behalf of other towns that have banned OWBs, as well as presentations about their benefits from different manufacturers. Also speaking will be Ron Piester of the Department of State, Code Division, Jerry McDonald from the New York State Department of Health, and possibly a representative of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It will occur 7 p.m. July 23 on the second floor of the Village Hall at 6 Chatham St. and will be open to the public, though participation will be limited to the legislators.
“NYSBOC thought it would be topical to have an informational forum,” Smith told the Register-Star. “This will be a proactive, municipal event. This is what we’re all about.”
The issue of the possible negative health effects of these boilers was first brought up during Valatie’s April board meeting, which was attended by several members of the community that thought their quality of life was being brought down by the acrid smoke of the boilers, as well as owners and supporters of the boilers themselves who don’t believe legislation should be passed against their use. Arguments grew somewhat heated and spilled over into May’s meeting, during which the board and members of the public discussed many of the positive and negative aspects of OWBs.
“The outdoor wood boilers are only partial combustion, which is what creates the problems,” said Joan Blum, a member of the community who lives near an OWB, during May’s meeting. “I can attest that at times it smells like [her neighbor is] burning tires in it. The odor is terrible.”
Other residents disagree, and seem to feel that all regulations regarding the installation and use of the boilers are perfectly acceptable.
“I’m proud of my wood boiler,” said Mike Urbaitis. He explained that the boiler helps keep heating costs low and that he operates it primarily in cold weather. Construction and installation of his wood boiler met or exceeded all requirements, and Urbaitis said that since he followed all applicable rules, he should not be forced to shut the machine down. He went on to say that the OWB represents a serious commitment in both time and money, and it would be a significant setback to him if its use was disallowed.
At the end of May’s meeting the Village Board agreed that something needed to be done, but decided not to pass any legislation owing to the belief that nothing could be done until quantitative evidence against the boilers was produced. At this point, Village Mayor William Van Alstyne promised the public he would have someone from the DEC or DOH come and test the boiler emissions as soon as was feasible — which means probably not until the winter, since most boilers are inoperative during the summer months — and the board decided to look at legislation passed by other towns in New York and the surrounding states in order to help get a better idea as to possible solutions to the problem.
Though the going is slow due to the inability to test the boilers in the summer and the problem that pleasing one faction of the community will invariably cause upset with another, this informational meeting may be the first step in finding a solution which can be, at the very least, acceptable for everyone.
“The problem is that the legislators don’t have the information they need,” said Smith. “This will help them make lucid, viable decisions for their towns.”
To reach reporter Paul Crossman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
For this reason, Glenn Smith, the village code enforcement officer and vice president of the New York State Building Officials Conference, has decided to hold an informational meeting for town and village officials in an effort to help clear some smoke on the issue and come up with the best possible solution for all members of the village.
The Columbia Greene chapter of NYSBOC is sponsoring the meeting, which will include representatives speaking on behalf of other towns that have banned OWBs, as well as presentations about their benefits from different manufacturers. Also speaking will be Ron Piester of the Department of State, Code Division, Jerry McDonald from the New York State Department of Health, and possibly a representative of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It will occur 7 p.m. July 23 on the second floor of the Village Hall at 6 Chatham St. and will be open to the public, though participation will be limited to the legislators.
“NYSBOC thought it would be topical to have an informational forum,” Smith told the Register-Star. “This will be a proactive, municipal event. This is what we’re all about.”
The issue of the possible negative health effects of these boilers was first brought up during Valatie’s April board meeting, which was attended by several members of the community that thought their quality of life was being brought down by the acrid smoke of the boilers, as well as owners and supporters of the boilers themselves who don’t believe legislation should be passed against their use. Arguments grew somewhat heated and spilled over into May’s meeting, during which the board and members of the public discussed many of the positive and negative aspects of OWBs.
“The outdoor wood boilers are only partial combustion, which is what creates the problems,” said Joan Blum, a member of the community who lives near an OWB, during May’s meeting. “I can attest that at times it smells like [her neighbor is] burning tires in it. The odor is terrible.”
Other residents disagree, and seem to feel that all regulations regarding the installation and use of the boilers are perfectly acceptable.
“I’m proud of my wood boiler,” said Mike Urbaitis. He explained that the boiler helps keep heating costs low and that he operates it primarily in cold weather. Construction and installation of his wood boiler met or exceeded all requirements, and Urbaitis said that since he followed all applicable rules, he should not be forced to shut the machine down. He went on to say that the OWB represents a serious commitment in both time and money, and it would be a significant setback to him if its use was disallowed.
At the end of May’s meeting the Village Board agreed that something needed to be done, but decided not to pass any legislation owing to the belief that nothing could be done until quantitative evidence against the boilers was produced. At this point, Village Mayor William Van Alstyne promised the public he would have someone from the DEC or DOH come and test the boiler emissions as soon as was feasible — which means probably not until the winter, since most boilers are inoperative during the summer months — and the board decided to look at legislation passed by other towns in New York and the surrounding states in order to help get a better idea as to possible solutions to the problem.
Though the going is slow due to the inability to test the boilers in the summer and the problem that pleasing one faction of the community will invariably cause upset with another, this informational meeting may be the first step in finding a solution which can be, at the very least, acceptable for everyone.
“The problem is that the legislators don’t have the information they need,” said Smith. “This will help them make lucid, viable decisions for their towns.”
To reach reporter Paul Crossman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com.
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