Mayfield bans summer use of wood boilers
Town residents may apply for permits allowing use from May 30 to Sept. 1By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-Herald
Article Photos
MAYFIELD - The Town Board Thursday passed a law banning the use of outdoor wood boilers during the summer months.
The law was developed in response to several residents who complained that smoke from outdoor wood boilers was severely affecting their quality of life. It says residents cannot burn any outdoor wood boiler from May 30 to Sept. 1 unless they are granted an exception by the town code enforcer, Mike Stewart.
At a public hearing on the law Thursday, about 40 residents turned out to give a variety of opinions on the subject.
Resident Dawn Ryan said she appreciates the town taking steps to limit wood boiler use but said more needs to be done.
"We need a moratorium on future installations to allow for more investigation," she said, calling the smoke produced by boilers "poisonous."
Ryan said wood boilers are unique because there are few safety and environmental restrictions placed on them. She said she would like to see the state enact a law governing their use.
Resident Paul Chapin, who said he owns a wood boiler, said a law could have been avoided if people simply talked to one another.
"You start off by being a good neighbor," he said. "You talk to your neighbor if you have a problem."
Don Warner, who also has a boiler, agreed.
"Talk to your neighbors," he said. "If [my neighbors] didn't like it, I wouldn't use it."
Chapin said the high price of fuel is making wood boiler manufacturers produce boilers that are more efficient. Soon, he said, their efficiency will be so good that local laws will not be needed to govern them.
"Wood boilers are carbon neutral compared to coal," he said. "You have to look at what's going to go on in the future."
Resident Sandra Riter said her neighbor's wood boiler causes her a lot of anguish.
"I live near one, and I can't go out on my deck," she said. "I have asthma. Just going to my car for work, I start gasping for breath."
Riter said she agrees with Ryan and believes more investigation needs to be done.
"I'm not trying to be a bad guy," she said. "I just want to be able to breathe, too."
Warner said he understands health concerns but also finds the economic benefit of a wood boiler to be an asset.
"Being on a limited income, [$35 to $40] a month makes quite a difference," he said.
Supervisor Herb McLain said the town is trying to please everyone.
"We're not going to, but we're trying," he said.
McLain reminded residents the law contains a section stating those who have a boiler that does not negatively affect neighbors would be able to apply for permits to burn their boilers during the summer. The permit would be free.
"This law doesn't mean you can't burn it," he said. "It is to protect those people who live close to one in their neighborhood."
Stewart said he would consider many factors when issuing a permit, including prevailing winds, proximity to neighbors and stack height.
"If you live on 100 acres, I'm not going to tell you you can't burn it," he said.
After about 40 minutes of discussion, the board closed the public hearing. Board members Tom Ruliffson, Richard Argotsinger and McLain voted in favor of the law. Board member Jack Putman abstained, since he owns a business that sells wood boilers. Board member Shawn Humphrey was not in attendance.
Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.
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PSLCountryGirl
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07-25-08 2:44 PM
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I can't believe you are banning these. So they emit smoke, what the heck is living in the "country" for. Did you ban wood stoves, fireplaces, etc. in the summer months? What about charcoal grills, etc. I lived in that area for my whole life and with rising prices and ppl needing to cut costs you stop them from doing so. What happens if they can't heat their water any other way, you going to pay for that? As far as the lady with asthma, don't blame just the smoke, my sister has it and smoke has nothing to do with it. The muggy, hot and humid weather may, stay inside.
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homesweetsacandaga
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07-19-08 1:06 PM
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okay, don't bother checking if you want tunnel vision. there IS a difference in burning other wood sources and OWB's. But that's okay. Lets let them save $30 a month now and we can pay for it with increased health premiums. How about a compromise? Research to find ways to limit the emissions?
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stmfrnt
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07-18-08 11:35 PM
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meanwhile no doubt someone is complaining about this as they drive off in there gas guzzling Hummer. come on people wake up mankind has burning wood since the first two sticks were rubbed together, would you rather see tons of oil being burned up or some renewable energy in the form of good old wood. Get a clue!!!
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orville
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07-18-08 10:28 PM
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LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THESE OUTSIDE STOVES HAVE BEEN USED FOR 30 YRS. WHY ALL THE FUSS NOW.
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homesweetsacandaga
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07-18-08 8:08 PM
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I posted earlier and now, changed my mind. I did some checking online and I think a move toward limiting use is a step in the right direction. ***********vtwoodsmoke****/ME-hlth.html or ***********ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/AOP_Permits/Boiler/Outdoor_Boilers_home.html cut and paste them, check out the details.
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fultoncountyfan
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07-18-08 8:00 PM
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What about wood stoves and outdoor fireplace
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Carlttfn
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07-18-08 5:15 PM
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Well this didn't take long. Punish a group of people trying to save some hard earned money. Some of these boilers heat domestic hot water..showers, laundry, dishes,etc. Ask them to add smokepipe sections. Those that burn non-approved combustibles(trash)should be shut down. To shut them down as a class....wrong. What about poor burning oil fired waterheaters, or poorly fired boilers with tankless heaters??
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JUSTME2008
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07-18-08 4:21 PM
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If that's the case are they going to ban campfires too? I agree neighbors should be more friendly toward each other... never know when you might need them. I wish there was more friendly people!
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rocky1
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07-18-08 4:06 PM
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There isn't much difference between the smoke from the woodboilers and a fireplace. The only difference is who is using them and when is it easy to not like nor want to tolerate them? When the people who complains about the woodboilers decide to roast marshmellows they had better be prepared to get a visit from the law enforcement folks. My parents are elderly and they have a neighbor who uses one. I have mentioned the smoke from time to time, especially during the summer and my parents always says, "Yes, but they do so much for us, like plowing our driveway during the winter, we don't even notice the smoke during the summer." That is how neighbors should be.
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IKnooow
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07-18-08 3:50 PM
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I've heard that people burn rubbish in them, which can smell bad, and in the summer, when alot more people are outside, the wafting smoke and odors from burning trash can be annoying. I get more annoyed by the punk down the street playing his radio loud enough to entertain the entire block. Of course I'm not allergic to heavy metal.
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JUSTME2008
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07-18-08 3:28 PM
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I have been wondering that myself about the differences.... is it what people are burning in them that's causing the issues? But then again you could burn undesirable items in anything. People have been burning wood for centuries, do we blame all the allerigies and asthma suffers' on them?
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homesweetsacandaga
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07-18-08 2:58 PM
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And how much of the medical concerns in the summer are from actual exhaust vs. humidity and allergies?
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homesweetsacandaga
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07-18-08 2:56 PM
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Can I ask what the difference is between a wood boiler and a wood fireplace? Or a wood stove? What about wood pellet stoves? I know the difference in units, but what's the difference in exhaust? I believe if you check, all are items that can emit exhaust from incomplete combustion. And pellet stoves are vented so low-how can the exhaust and debris not be an issue?
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Bubbles
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07-18-08 2:09 PM
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Once in a while theres a problem with the boiler....you have to hit it with a hammer.
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InnocentParty
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07-18-08 1:46 PM
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LMAO @ treehuggers.
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Moving2IdahoSoon
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07-18-08 12:53 PM
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There goes my heated swimming pool for the summer. Darn you treehuggers.
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