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By JOEL CUTHBERT

OBSERVER Staff Writer

SHERIDAN - As wind energy sweeps through the county, Sheridan officials are looking to adopt legislation to regulate potential wind energy conversion system (WECS) projects within the town.

At a recent Sheridan Town Board meeting a public hearing for the adoption of a proposed WECS law was set for Oct. 27 at 7:15 p.m. in the town hall. According to Councilwoman Amy Farnham, who, along with Councilman Richard Feinen, led a committee in tailoring WECS regulations for the town, this final draft represents more than two years of work.

"We've been working on this for in excess of two years," she said following the meeting. "There were other townships that have been approached already and they had more of a sense urgency than we did, and we wanted to make sure we looked at everything."

Throughout the process, Farnham said committee members worked closely with the town zoning board and Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer James Crowell to develop regulations most suited for the town. The proposed law has gone through a number of revisions, she added.

Due to the topography of Sheridan - no vast open spaces or rolling hills, but a busy airport - Farnham explained the township is unique, making their focus on small, private WECS projects rather than commercial prospects.

"I don't think that we are a big target for commercial wind, but we do have a lot of farmers and we have a lot of individuals who are interested and want a small WECS," she said.

Supervisor John Walker mentioned similar interest throughout the town during the meeting.

"We are getting more and more interest in wind energy," he said. "Some of our local industry is talking about it, and also some local agriculture."

Following the public hearing, during which these WECS regulations will be presented for public review and comment, the proposed law must be approved by the town zoning and planning boards, as well as the town board before taking effect.