HOPKINTON – Hopkinton Town Supervisor Susan M. Wood is speaking out following a survey that asked St. Lawrence County residents if they feel two councilmen should step down over a conflict of interest related to wind tower voting.

“I read with interest the responses to the recent survey (on NorthCountryNow.com) regarding the potential conflicts of two board members,” Wood said in an email to North Country This Week.

The Hopkinton Town Board will be powerless to override the St. Lawrence County Planning Board should it make a recommendation on the proposal to not expand the wind overlay zone.

That’s because two councilmen are abstaining from all wind-related issues coming before the governing body because members of their families are leaseholders with the company proposing a wind farm. Local boards can override county planning board recommendations, but only with a supermajority vote, or four out of five possible votes on the town board, which is not possible in this case.

For more see story.

In her letter, Wood said there are several comments made by survey participants that she wished to address:

• Fire department chief and assistant chief – All financials for the fire department are processed through the Board of Fire Commissioners. The elected town board members have no say over the financials for the fire district or the fire department. Therefore, there is no conflict of interest.

• Hopkinton Food Pantry – The wind developer, AvanGrid, chose to make a donation to a local charity. This was done as the town does not charge for the use of the town hall for a public meeting. Although the food pantry is allowed the use of the town hall for their food distribution, this group of volunteers falls under the leadership of the Congregational Church.

• Referendum- Due to NYS General Municipal Law, a referendum for this matter is not covered in the rules and regulations which guide towns.

• Town grounds keeper – The current grounds keeper was hired years ago when Stephen Bory was the town supervisor. The position was posted and advertised at that time. If anyone attended the organizational meetings, they would know that I abstain when it comes to that appointment as well as setting the salary. Provisions were made to have this position report to the highway superintendent so there is no conflict of interest.

“Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or have any additional questions,” she said.

Wood can be reached at 315-328-4187.