A step backward

By LINDA BABICZ

Positive steps toward alternative energy are being made all over our county, state and country with the exception of the Town of Callicoon. Despite the fact that officials at all levels of government are strongly advocating the use of alternative energy sources, this message appears lost on a majority of councilmen in our town.

Councilmen Bose, Fuchs, and Kuebler cite “fiscal responsibility” as their reason for not moving forward with the alternative energy measures I proposed. My proposal to provide Town of Callicoon taxpayers with photo-voltaic (solar) installations would have been paid for completely through funds from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The funding is made possible by taxes already collected by New York State, and through surcharges already collected on all utility bills paid in New York State. Their rejection of the proposal has not saved the taxpayers any money, or protected them from any future or additional taxation. Their vote has instead cost the taxpayers money in the form of engineering fees and other related expenses in the short term. The reality is that the funding will be given to another municipality to reduce its energy costs. In the long term, the councilmen’s votes cost the Town of Callicoon a $250,000 funding opportunity that would have supplied the electric needs of two town buildings for years to come and created a savings for town taxpayers.

In 2008, I asked that the board have energy audits performed by NYSERDA on both the town hall and the town garage. Initially, that request was denied by the board because there was a small fee associated with the audit. The request was repeated in early 2009, and approved. The audits have been completed. The conservation recommendations have been accepted by the board, despite the initial reluctance to participate in the audit process. The conservation measures would have been paid for by the Gunther/NYSERDA funding, but will now have to be paid by town taxpayers. It is important to follow up on implementing the recommendations and applying for any applicable NYSERDA rebates so that some savings can be achieved. These are small, but important steps in reducing our energy costs. It is unfortunate that, because of the three councilmen’s votes, we no longer have the opportunity to take larger steps with greater savings for our town. But we must move forward.

In order for the Town of Callicoon to prosper, it is essential that we accept change as inevitable, recognize that which is good in change, and use that change for the greater good. We must accept the challenges which face us on every level and rise over the level of petty politics to meet them. Elected officials must take an honest, broad and long view of all the issues if we are to survive and prosper.

(Linda Babicz is the supervisor of the Town of Callicoon.)