As a taxpayer of the Town of Dover, I hereby request that the Town Board hire an independent consultant to analyze the potentially substantial impact on our local environment that could come from the construction of the proposed electrical power plant known as Cricket Valley Energy.

Numerous people have raised concerns that the pollution from the plant could have a serious local impact on air quality in and around the Harlem Valley, that its noise levels could be intrusive, and that it could negatively affect the water and aquifer serving much of our area.  These concerns are heightened by the plant’s being within 1000 yards of our Middle and High Schools.  Questions have also been raised as to whether the plant is even needed, since New York State's own projections indicate it is not.  These concerns must be addressed, not by developers proposing the plant, but by independent experts hired on behalf of the town. 

To date, all environmental impact data and projections have come solely from the plant developers themselves.  The Town of Dover must develop its own independent assessment to insure best practices are followed and to obtain the most positive possible outcomes for the Town and region.
Funds to complete this independent analysis should be paid for by Cricket Valley Energy under the auspices of Assembly Bill A08510 which serves to "defray expenses incurred by municipal and other local parties to the proceeding for expert witness, consultant, administrative and legal fees."

Building this plant would have a significant impact on Dover for the rest of our lives.  Given how important this decision is, it is a necessity that the Town hire experts who represent the citizens of Dover and will make their own independent determination regarding the environmental and quality of life impacts of the proposed plant.  Eliciting an expert's informed and independent opinion is in the best interests of protecting the taxpayers, children, businesses and environment of Dover.

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