OBSERVER Photo by Natasha Matteliano The Portland Town Board is holding a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. today regarding a proposed wind law.

PORTLAND — The Portland Town Board has called a public hearing for a proposed wind law, which will determine whether Emergya Wind Technologies can move in with its turbines.

The hearing, taking place at 6:30 p.m. today at the Portland Fire Hall, will allow Portland residents to voice their opinions about the proposed wind law that may be voted on at the next meeting of the board. The law is still in the editing phase,

The wind law the town currently holds is outdated and needs to be updated, officials said. This issue arose when EWT came to the town asking to set up wind turbines. Though the company insists there are only benefits to be reaped from the deal, some residents believe otherwise.

Bringing this law up to date and having the public hearing will take the resident’s opinions and beliefs into consideration and include them in the law where the town sees fit. For example, under the proposed law, one of the requirements to even submit an application for a wind turbine area must include a shadow flicker plan, along with over 20 other items that consider aspects of the project that may be overlooked.

There are numerous other sections and subsections of the proposed law, including standards for the wind turbines, required safety measures, traffic routes, setback measurements and abatement. These are along with over 30 sections and subsections that would control the installation, use and destruction of any kind of wind towers coming into the town.

The proposed law is ready for review by residents and is accessible at townofportland.org. The board encourages residents to review the proposed law and come to the public hearing with any questions, suggestions, or complaints.