A public hearing is set for September 21

By TOM KANE

HORTONVILLE -- In a switch of sentiment, the Town of Delaware Board voted 4 to 1 to approve a public hearing to solicit reaction to the proposed right-to-farm law that they put aside three months ago. Councilman Arnold Baum opposed. The hearing will be at the board's next meeting on September 21 at 6:50 p.m.

The law protects farmers from nuisance lawsuits arising from the spreading of manure and other farm practices, according to Joe Walsh of the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

It was Baum's arguments against the law three months ago that swung other board members to refuse to consider its approval.

"We already have a state law that gives the farmers everything that this law gives them," Baum said at that time. "Why pass laws that are not needed?" He has not changed his opinion in the interim.

Town supervisor William Moran and the other councilmen disagreed. "It's a good thing for the farmers," Moran said. "It gives them a local outlet to air any grievances their neighbors may have against some farm practices."

A provision of the local law not in the state law creates a committee to mediate disputes. The committee would be made up of a farmer, a resident and a Cornell Cooperative Extension representative, Wash said. A party has the right to appeal the committee's decision.

In other town business, the board approved the granting of a franchise to Penny Natural Gas to provide natural gas services to town residents. Several other towns and villages have approved a franchise to the company. The company must still get permission from the state Public Service Commission to build the delivery system.