Dozens of Guilford residents voiced concerns over a proposed $200 million windmill project at a Wednesday public meeting. (Photos by Tyler Murphy)

GUILFORD – A Town of Guilford board meeting discussing a proposed windmill project was held at the town garage Wednesday to accommodate the more than 80 local residents who turned out to share concerns over it.

At a heated moment in last night’s meeting town board members attempted to end the ongoing public comments. Several in the audience stood to object, some shouted.

As some board members acted to quickly pass a motion ending the session, some board members seemed to hesitate, and several in the crowd made comments anyway.

During the commotion one resident rose and exclaimed, “I’ve lived here all my life, never have I been so disappointed in my elected officials.” Another resident stood and asked, “Please, may I please make just a short statement?” “Why our backyard? What do we get out of it,” asked another. One man in the back, who did not bother to stand, simply yelled, “bullshit!”

After exchanging several comments, the board changed its mind and allowed 10 more minutes of public comment.

Residents are questioning the proposal to build some of the largest windmills in the nation in Guilford.

Currently the windmills are limited to 676-feet in a proposed local law, or more than 13 times the height of the Chenango County Courthouse. The company and town officials have discussed making allowances for larger ones as new technologies develop.