GLOVERSVILLE - A local law regulating the use of outdoor wood boilers in the city failed to pass Tuesday night when the Common Council deadlocked in a 3-3 vote.
First Ward Councilwoman Robin Wentworth, 4th Ward Councilwoman Ellen Anadio and 6th Ward Councilman Ray Hindes voted in favor of the local law. Second Ward Councilman John Castiglione, 3rd Ward Councilman James Robinson and 5th Ward Councilman Matthew Myers voted against the proposal. Councilman-at-large James Handy was not present for the meeting, thus tying the vote and leaving the proposal dead in the water.
Councilmembers expressed a desire to rework the legislation and possibly vote again on it at a later meeting.
Hindes has been pushing for some sort of regulation on the devices for months. At past council meetings, Hindes said he believes legislation is important because more people may purchase a boiler in the next few months in preparation for winter. Without legislation, he said, there will be no guidelines for residents. City code requires boilers be placed 100 feet from any property line, which prevents them from being placed on most city properties.
One resident in the city has an outdoor wood boiler, Fire Chief Douglas Edwards said. The city established a moratorium on boilers in December 2007, but that expired in mid-2008.
At past meetings, several councilmembers expressed concern that regulating the devices would put additional financial hardship on residents who want to use them to save money.
In Fort Johnson, officials have enacted a six-month moratorium on the devices while they consider what action, if any, to take next. A group of officials and residents are set to make a presentation to the Board of Trustees regarding the topic at a future board meeting.
Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com