Press-Republican

Homepage

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
August 1, 2008

Town bans outdoor boilers for one year

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH — The Town of Plattsburgh has placed a one-year moratorium on the installation of outdoor wood boilers.

The moratorium is intended to give town officials time to set regulations and standards for the use of outdoor wood boilers and those that use similar fuel sources.

Assistant Town Code Enforcement Officer Steve Imhoff said it will allow time to establish setback distance and smoke-stack height standards to decrease adverse effects to neighbors.

The intention is not to outlaw outdoor boilers but to regulate them, he said.

Outdoor wood boilers already in place are not affected by the moratorium.

At a public hearing on the proposed local law, Dr. Scott Mischler of 3 Wildflower Lane in Morrisonville said he felt a moratorium is premature.

“My biggest concern about this moratorium is that we’re coming up to a year where fuel prices are at a record high. I think this will put a great hardship on the people of Plattsburgh.”

Many people are looking at alternative heating methods this year and will do so next year, Mischler said.

Former Town Councilor John St. Germain questioned why it would take a whole year to establish such regulations.

“I think this could be done within three months,” he said.

Councilor Gerard Renadette said the moratorium allows the town to take a proactive, rather than a reactive, stance.

It is the Town Council’s responsibility to see that neighbors are protected from fire and smoke from improperly located or installed boilers, he said.

“I understand the need for alternative sources of heat. My hope is the moratorium won’t last a year.”

Councilor Martin Mannix said the development of regulations should be placed on a fast track.

Imhoff noted that any town resident can present a hardship case to the Town Council.

The moratorium makes offenders guilty of a violation and subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 or 15 days in jail. Each week a violation continues is to be seen as a separate violation, subject to the same penalties.



EQUIPMENT FEE

In a related matter, the Town Council has dropped the fee for a permit to install new heating equipment, through Jan. 1.

“We want to have all the flexibility possible to allow people to heat their homes and reduce costs,” Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said.

“They will save from $25 to $50, depending on the system.”

New heating systems still need to be inspected, Imhof said. That is necessary to prevent people from suffering harm if they use an unqualified installer.



ENERGY FAIR

Also, the town is hosting an Alternative Energy Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Plattsburgh Town Hall, 151 Banker Road.



E-mail Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News

Local Sports

Opinion

Lifestyles

Local Columns

Photo of the Day
Facebook