By MATT LINDSEY

PARISHVILLE -- Dozens of divided Parishville residents attended a public hearing at the town hall Wednesday night to discuss its local wind law relating to turbine setbacks and sound output.

“There were no changes to the law” made at the meeting, according to Councilwoman Keri Tremper.

The plans still calls for setbacks of wind towers to be five times the height of the wind tower from the property line of a non-participating landowner. If the towers are 500 feet high, as projected, setbacks would be 2,500 feet. That distance would apply to the foundation of the residence of a participating landowner.

The North Ridge Wind Farm calls for about 40 wind towers, about 500-feet-high, to be built in Hopkinton and Parishville by Avangrid Renewables.

The local law for sound decibels to be at .45 or below from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and .35 decibels from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. from a participating landowners residence.

A group of concerned Parishville-area residents planned to protest the Parishville Town Council's public hearing last night. The groups included Concerned Citizens for Rural Preservation, Parishville-Hopkinton Alliance and local citizens.

Tremper did not describe the scene at the meeting as a protest, but said that citizens showed emotion both for and against the wind farm.

“There was a good mix,” she said. “Some happy with the law and some who don’t want the law at all,” she said.

Residents have voiced their displeasure with the setbacks and sound allowance, citing safety and health issues.

“There are several (residents) that are not happy with the wind developers being here – they want to say no to the whole idea,” Tremper said.

Tremper did not agree with that sentiment.

“It is not the best avenue to just say no,” she said. “Article 10 will come in – the governor is pushing for renewable energy.”

A second public hearing is planned for Thursday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the town hall. The town board could possibly vote on the law that same night when they meet at 6 p.m.