Investigation of Mill Street dam hydrolic generator will continue

By JIM AUSTIN
Cooperstown Crier

The board of trustees voted Monday evening to have the Sustainability Committee continue its investigation into the possibility of having a hydroelectric generator installed on the Mill Street dam.
Last month the board received a report on Chuck Hage’s research that indicates ``hydro power from the dam is technically feasible, financially attractive and environmentally friendly,’’ he wrote in his outline.
According to Hage, the up-front cost of a hydroelectric generator installed at the 70-foot dam would be $300,000. The system would be capable of generating as much as 790,000 kilowatt-hours per year, but is more likely to produce a little less than 500,000 kilowatt-hours. The annual value of the energy produced would be approximately $63,000, according to Hage.
``My biggest concern is the $300,000 in start up costs,’’ said Mayor Carol Waller. Hage said those start up costs would not necessarily be costs to the village. There may be different sources and avenues for financing the project, he said.
``The question is, is this a project the village could get behind,’’ said Sustainability Committee Chair Neil Weiller. ``We need direction.’’ Trustee Lynne Mebust said the village is currently in the middle of a number of projects and this may not be the right time to take on another.
Hage recommended that for the moment the best thing would be to look at the big picture and the possible avenues available to develop and manage a hydroelectric project.
The board adopted a motion from Deputy Mayor Jeff Katz calling for the Sustainability Committee to investigate the financing the management options for such a project. In other business, the board
scheduled a public hearing for July 20 at 8:30 p.m. in regard to a special use permit for the Lakefront Motel. According to Village Attorney Martin Tillapaugh, Paula Wikoff wants to add a second story to the east side of the motel and expand the restaurant. The motel is located in a residential zone and is considered a pre-existing, nonconforming entity. The zoning law prohibits the expansion of a non-conforming use, but a motel is allowed in the R-2 zone with a special permit. Tillapaugh said that by granting a special use permit all the board would be doing is granting the existence of the motel already on the site. Wikoff would still have to get the approval of the planning board, architectural review board and, if necessary, the zoning board of appeals. Any new construction would have to comply with all of the provisions of the zoning law.
Wikoff said during the meeting that she would actually loose two rooms for a total of 42 and the seating capacity of the restaurant would not change.
amended the special use permit for the Landmark Inn on Chestnut Street. Owner Ed Landers had requested that the board remove the condition that the permit must renewed each year. Landers addressed the concerns expressed by his neighbors during a public hearing last month and told the board his was the only hotel in the village whose permit had to be renewed annually. Landers also commented that the annual renewal created problems with lending institutions.
``Why can’t we have parity? Is there any other hotel with a one-year renewal? I still question why this is the only property with a one-year renewal,’’ Landers said.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Katz said the difference is that the Landmark is a hotel in a residential zone.
``We’ve done nothing wrong,’’ Lander replied. Trustee Eric Hage said he was concerned about a change in ownership.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Al Keck said B&Bs; have been required to undergo annual review for the last four years.
The board adopted a motion from Katz to remove the annual renewal requirement and replace it with a review of the permit following a change in ownership.

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