HARTWICK - Senator James Seward (R-Milford) said Tuesday night that he believes the state should be involved in the siting process for wind turbine electric generating installations.

Seward made the statement to a packed house during a town meeting he hosted in the Hartwick town hall.

Joe Rosch, of Cherry Valley, told Seward that the community is dealing with "a big problem" resulting from private investors coming in and trying to push the wind project through.

"There is a lack of planning. There is a lack of help from the state. A little community like Cherry Valley has to find a way to cope with a private company coming in."

"Getting electricity from the wind turbines is a positive thing - generally a very positive thing," Seward said. "There is a great need in New York State to diversify our sources of electricity."

The senator commented he had received a number of letters from residents of Cherry Valley about a proposed 27-turbine wind generating project targeted for ridge top across from the Cherry Valley-Springfield school.

Seward said he is "a great believer in home rule," but "thinks the state ought to be more involved in the siting process - in setting the rules of the game."

A project located in one town may be seen in others and thereby impact a much larger, hesaid.

Andy Minnig, an outspoken opponent of the wind turbines, also questioned the senator about the proposed project. "I think the mistake we're all making is thinking that the towers are benign," he said, adding that he believes they are not as environmentally-friendly as many people think.

Seward said he believes there is a place for wind turbines in the mix of electric generating sources, but that the state's target of 20 percent of its electricity coming from renewable sources doesn't mean it all has to be from the wind.

It is a policy of the state to promote renewable energy and Seward said it would be appropriate for the state to be involved in the siting process in the same way it is with other large generating projects.

"I'm suggesting that it is in order for these wind turbines," he said.

Seward said he intends to work on legislation that would involve the state in the siting process for wind generating installations when the legislature is back in session.

"This is not just somebody's windmill in their backyard anymore," he said.