Towns may forbid or regulate outdoor wood boilers

By TOM KANE

HORTONVILLE, NY ¾ Outdoor wood-burning boilers, which are becoming increasingly popular, may become forbidden or strictly regulated.

“Many of the neighbors of people who use these boilers to heat their homes are complaining that the smoke can be oppressive and could be a health hazard,” said Town of Delaware Code Enforcement Officer Howard Fuchs, at the town board meeting on June 21.

The heaters, which are like small sheds, stand outside a house and are connected by pipes that convey the heat into the buildings.

Fuchs had attended a recent CEO training program in Albany where a representative from the New York State Attorney General’s office told the trainees that legislation to deal with these boilers was proceeding through the legislature.

“How are they different from wood stoves that many use to heat their homes?” asked council member John Gain. No one attempted to answer his question.

“I think the heaters are safer than indoor wood stoves that sometimes cause fires,” said highway superintendent Bill Eschenberg, who is a fireman.

“I’m concerned that a lot of people who have limited resources may need these boilers to stay warm in the winter, especially when you look at the cost of heating fuel,” said council member Matt Hofer. “I think we should proceed with caution.”

Fuchs said that the Town of Callicoon has taken the matter up and would soon decide how to proceed.

“We have been discussing this issue and will pass on some guidelines in using them at a meeting on June 26,” said Town of Callicoon Supervisor Gregg Semenetz.

“We’ll see what Callicoon’s guidelines are and then decide what we are going to do,” said Town of Delaware Supervisor Jim Scheutzow.

In other board matters, Councilman Kevin Connors complained about the Sullivan County Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) recent decision to give a tax abatement to the builders of the Millennium Pipe Line.

“What benefit does this pipeline bring to our town or any town?” Connors asked. “I don’t see any. They’re spending $375,000,000 and they can’t afford to pay the normal taxes they should be paying? I don’t know why all the other county IDAs up the line are granting this tax relief to the company. The project will create only 17 permanent jobs after construction is over. You know where those employees would live around here, don’t you? In Pennsylvania, where the taxes are lower.”