A hearing on Intelligent Fish Monday almost wasn’t.
It was advertised as “a public hearing…on the proposed Intelligent Fish project,” but with no information on the project, Cobleskill Supervisor Tom Murray moved to open and then immediately close the hearing.
Mr. Murray said the hearing was intended to consider Planning Board recommendations on the proposed salmon -raising and -processing plant, but the Planning Board has yet to receive anything.
Planning Board Chairman Andre Nadeau said he believes the project meets zoning regulations so there’s no need to schedule another public hearing; Mr. Murray said the town hopes to have all the information it needs before its April meeting.
That didn’t work for neighbors Bruce and Michelle Stacey, however, who came to the hearing with concerns and questions regarding the plant at the former Gulford Mills site.
“We know no more than you do,” said Mr. Murray, suggesting the Staceys take a letter listing their concerns to the March 18 Planning Board meeting instead.
“Wait, wait, wait,” said Councilman Ryan McAllister, who said he didn’t like the idea of refusing someone from the public the opportunity to speak at a public hearing, even if there was nothing new from Intelligent Fish.
“I’m not doing anything until we at least give the public the right to speak,” Mr. McAllister said.
Finally given the go-ahead to voice their concerns, Ms. Stacey said they include questions over water usage and the disposal of dead fish at the site.
Ms. Stacey said their property shares a pond with the former Guilford Mills property and they want to be sure Intelligent Fish lives up to its legal obligations regarding maintenance of it.
Ms. Stacey also said they want Intelligent Fish to meter water taken from the pond—meters they’d have access to—and asked for an engineer’s and a hydrologist’s report confirming there’s enough water for the project.
Should the project dry up neighbors’ wells, she continued, she wants Intelligent Fish to provide pure and drinkable water to any affected household.
Ms. Stacey asked for SEQR review of the project and asked how Intelligent Fish plans to dispose of dead fish and control odors.
“This is a concern for the present and the future,” she said.
The Staceys’ were the only ones to comment on the proposed project; Intelligent Fish representatives are expected to be at the March 18 Planning Board meeting.