On Thurs., Mar. 6, Athens residents attended a public meeting presented by the Athens Citizens Development Committee at the Athens American Legion, concerning the proposed West Point Partners high voltage direct current converter station and buried power lines project. The standing-room only crowd heard the details of the matter, currently in the Article VII approval process at the New York State Public Service Commission. West Point is being considered as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Energy Highway initiative to provide additional power to New York City. The proposal will not deliver power locally. Cortlandt Fire Department Deputy Chief and Cortlandt Fire Inspector Holly Haight presented video footage depicting the buzzing sound of a 660 megawatt converter station in an industrial area of Hicksville. Civil engineer Bernard Vaughey provided numerous details surrounding the construction phase of West Point and the property devaluation that would result. He also spoke about the complications of buried lines, the size of underground vaults and waivers to get around local codes: PLAY (1:58). Vaughey and Haight also represent the Town of Cortlandt Task Force led by Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi, a group that strongly opposes West Point. The presentation also included speakers from ACDC, Andrea Smallwood, Forest Cotten and Sam Sebren. Athens Village Mayor Chris Pfister announced during the Q&A session he opposes West Point's proposed route through the village, but he does not oppose the project overall because he believes the project will provide a financial benefit for Athens. Several residents spoke following the presentation, and voiced concerns over property values, health, blight, disruption to traffic and daily life in the village during the proposal's projected two years of construction. Neither the town of Athens or the Greene County Legislature have taken a position on the project so far. ED NOTE: Sam Sebren is a founding member of the Athens Citizens Development Committee.

-- Sam Sebren

March 6, 2014 Public Information meeting presented by the Athens Citizens Development Committee
(All audio recorded and produced by Sam Sebren)

BERNARD VAUGHEY (#1), guest speaker, retired civil engineer for the state of New York PLAY (2:02)
Speaks about AC versus DC; the cost of the West Point project.
BERNARD VAUGHEY (#2), guest speaker, retired civil engineer for the state of New York PLAY (1:58)
Speaks about the complications of buried lines, the size of underground vaults and waivers to get around local codes.
BERNARD VAUGHEY (#3), guest speaker, retired civil engineer for the state of New York PLAY (2:07)
Speaks about "duct banks" and the depth of buried lines related to water levels and other buried projects, also the complications of repairs to lines buried in the river.
BERNARD VAUGHEY (#4), guest speaker, retired civil engineer for the state of New York PLAY (1:47)
Speaks about redacted info in West Point applications.
BERNARD VAUGHEY (#5), guest speaker, retired civil engineer for the state of New York PLAY (:43)
Speaks of the need to verify if the West Point project is needed.
CHRIS PFISTER, Athens Village Mayor PLAY (1:48)
On whether the village opposes West Point Partners.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER PLAY (2:34)
Identifies himself as a litigator; urges Athens to fight and oppose the West Point project.
AL RAMM, Athens resident; retired electrician for LeHigh Cement PLAY (1:08)
Speaks of the dangers of high voltage going past the schools and homes.
JOANNE ADAMO CONWAY, broker/owner of Heartland Realty in Coxsackie PLAY (:35)
Speaks about the relationship between power lines and the reduction of property values.
JACQUELINE GODDEAU, Athens resident PLAY (1:15)
Speaks about the waivers West Point has requested to remove noise, work restrictions.

PLAY full meeting recording (1:41:11)
Agenda:

1. ACDC speakers: Andrea Smallwood, Forest Cotten, Sam Sebren


2. Special guest speakers: Holly Haight, Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Inspector for Cortlandt, NY; and Bernard Vaughey, retired NYS civil engineer and lifelong resident of Verplanck, NY


3. Question and Answer session