The Enfield Town Supervisor has said that comments from the Public Comment Meeting will be addressed at this meeting. Everyone who can should come and show the Town Board that we expect a response equal to the concern of the comments made by the community on November 30th and in written comments since.
The meeting starts promptly at 6:45 PM so get there early to get a seat. If you wish to speak, you must sign up for up to 3 minutes of Priveledge of the Floor BEFORE the meeting begins. Comments should also be sent to the Enfield Town Board ASAP. Comments need not be long, but be clear about your position in favor of a ban.
Our goal at this meeting is to stress the urgency of directing the Town attorney, Guy Krogh, to draft a ban for consideration as soon as possible.
More than 70 Enfield residents spoke at the Public Comment meeting and even more have written to the Town Board to express that they wish to have a ban in place in our community- and all have done so eloquently. However, if you wish to speak on Wednesday or would like to email or mail your comments to the Town Board, but you would like information to refer to in doing so, we provide the points below for your convenience.
Points of Emphasis:
- Permitting could begin as soon as April 2012.
- Because of this, a ban needs to be in place no later than the March Board meeting.
- There must be a Public Hearing before that date.
- In order to have a timely Public Hearing, preliminary approval must be no later than the February Board meeting.
- To be prepared for preliminary approval, dicussion of the ban must take place no later than the January Board meeting.
- For these reasons, drafing of the BAN MUST begin before January.
- Stress the preference of a BAN rather than a moratorium.
- The Town of Caroline is moving toward a ban. Enfield shares an attorney with Caroline. We may save money for both towns by drafting simultaneously.
- The Town of Dryden legal case is a test case. Attorneys at the Legal Presentation indicated it is unlikely that gas companies are looking for other towns to sue in this area as they are waiting for a precendent to be set in Dryden. Our liability with regard to legal action may not increase if we enact a ban, but our liabilities if we DON'T have a ban remain.
- The Enfield community has spoken and the choice is clear.
Comments to the Enfield Town Board may be emailed to the Town Supervisor, Roy Barierre, at rlb15@cornell.edu or mailed to 168 Enfield Main Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.
As always, your participation is necessary and appreciated. We have come so far as a community with regard to this issue. Our continued efforts can see us through to our goal!
