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K'hook fires boilers with moratorium
By Paul Crossman
Outdoor woodboilers seems a heated issue which, when touched upon, cannot be put out. Since no state or national law seems close to being passed, towns and villages across Columbia County have been forced to take legislation into their own hands.
Two weeks ago, the town of Kinderhook passed a six-month moratorium on the issue, and, quickly following suit, the village did the same, with a three-month time limit.
A moratorium means the board realizes a need for legislation, but feels that a “reasonable time period” is needed in to decide what form to take.
Both town and village realized something needed to be done after several studies — including one from the office of state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo —stated that OWBs emit more fine particulate matter than other heating sources. This is caused mostly by the low burning temperature, as well as long periods of smoldering wood when the boiler is not in full use.
Improper use, like burning garbage and waste, has also been a problem brought up by the boards.
“While OWBs are advertised as a clean and economical way o heat one’s house and water,” states “Smoke gets in your lungs,” Cuomo’s office’s study, “...they are among the dirtiest and least economical modes of heating, especially when improperly used.”
After complaints from many residents, both the village and the town realized some form of action needed to be taken.
“I am a member of the community who lives near one of the wood boilers,” said town and village resident Joan Blum previously. “Like many people, I was unaware of the effects of wood smoke until I started experiencing symptoms myself. It is unpleasant and uncomfortable to be around when wood boilers are operating. I couldn’t even open my windows.”
Village Mayor Bill Van Alstyne also believes that something needs to be done about the issue.
“I think there is obviously a condition here that has been introduced over the past several years that we haven’t had to address in the past,” he told the Register-Star. “It has impacted the neighbors [of those who own OWBs], and we have to look at that, but the people who installed them also did it in good faith, following all the village codes and regulations. Hopefully we can come up with a compromise... I think we can work something out.”
Though the town first passed a moratorium on the issue, the village has been debating the issue for much longer, even hosting an informational event with representatives from the Attorney General, the Department of Health, and the Department of state giving presentations.
This being the case, the village came to the decision that in the interest of dealing with the issue in a timely fashion, only a three-month moratorium was needed instead of six.
“We wanted to do it in an expedited manner,” said Van Alstyne, “and [a three-month moratorium] helped cut down on bureaucracy. We determined this would be the best method, knowing that we could renew it if necessary.”
Though it is possible to get a three-month extension if the Town Board has not enacted legislation by the end of the moratorium, Mayor Van Alstyne is hopeful that the village won’t need it.
“We talked about it last month,” he said, “and at the next board meeting members will have had time to assess the situation and see how other towns are handling it and come to a consensus. Then we can pass the legislation.”
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit our website at www.registerstar.com.
Two weeks ago, the town of Kinderhook passed a six-month moratorium on the issue, and, quickly following suit, the village did the same, with a three-month time limit.
A moratorium means the board realizes a need for legislation, but feels that a “reasonable time period” is needed in to decide what form to take.
Both town and village realized something needed to be done after several studies — including one from the office of state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo —stated that OWBs emit more fine particulate matter than other heating sources. This is caused mostly by the low burning temperature, as well as long periods of smoldering wood when the boiler is not in full use.
Improper use, like burning garbage and waste, has also been a problem brought up by the boards.
“While OWBs are advertised as a clean and economical way o heat one’s house and water,” states “Smoke gets in your lungs,” Cuomo’s office’s study, “...they are among the dirtiest and least economical modes of heating, especially when improperly used.”
After complaints from many residents, both the village and the town realized some form of action needed to be taken.
“I am a member of the community who lives near one of the wood boilers,” said town and village resident Joan Blum previously. “Like many people, I was unaware of the effects of wood smoke until I started experiencing symptoms myself. It is unpleasant and uncomfortable to be around when wood boilers are operating. I couldn’t even open my windows.”
Village Mayor Bill Van Alstyne also believes that something needs to be done about the issue.
“I think there is obviously a condition here that has been introduced over the past several years that we haven’t had to address in the past,” he told the Register-Star. “It has impacted the neighbors [of those who own OWBs], and we have to look at that, but the people who installed them also did it in good faith, following all the village codes and regulations. Hopefully we can come up with a compromise... I think we can work something out.”
Though the town first passed a moratorium on the issue, the village has been debating the issue for much longer, even hosting an informational event with representatives from the Attorney General, the Department of Health, and the Department of state giving presentations.
This being the case, the village came to the decision that in the interest of dealing with the issue in a timely fashion, only a three-month moratorium was needed instead of six.
“We wanted to do it in an expedited manner,” said Van Alstyne, “and [a three-month moratorium] helped cut down on bureaucracy. We determined this would be the best method, knowing that we could renew it if necessary.”
Though it is possible to get a three-month extension if the Town Board has not enacted legislation by the end of the moratorium, Mayor Van Alstyne is hopeful that the village won’t need it.
“We talked about it last month,” he said, “and at the next board meeting members will have had time to assess the situation and see how other towns are handling it and come to a consensus. Then we can pass the legislation.”
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit our website at www.registerstar.com.
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