October 3, 2003

The Honorable Al Netto
Mayor of Gouverneur
PO Box 430
Gouverneur, NY 13642

Dear Mayor Netto:

The Federal Communications Commission notified you by letter on July 16, 2003 that it has received complaints of harmful radio interference possibly caused by equipment operated by the Gouverneur electric utility. This interference has been reported by an operator in the Amateur Radio Service. The complainant is:

Mr. Morton Howard, W2ATO
182 W. Barney Street
Gouverneur, NY 13642

In this letter, you were advised that this problem, if unresolved, could be a violation of FCC rules and could result in a monetary forfeiture for each occurrence. For this reason, we encouraged the parties involved to voluntarily resolve this matter without FCC intervention. If however it became necessary to facilitate a resolution, the FCC might investigate possible rules violations and address appropriate remedies, including monetary forfeiture.

You were further advised to inform the complainant within 30 days of what steps your utility company would take to correct this reported interference problem. In addition, if unable to resolve this matter within 90 days, you were advised to inform this office about the nature of the problem, the steps being taken to resolve it and the estimated time in which those steps can be accomplished. According to Mr. Howard, the harmful interference he reported to this office remains unresolved. Furthermore, you have responded to neither Mr. Howard nor this office within the specified period of time.

In order to avoid possible enforcement action, we request that you advise this office within 15 days of receipt of this letter what action you have taken, or intend to take, in order to identify and correct the source of these radio emissions if they are being caused by your company's equipment.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at 717-338-2502.

CC: FCC Northeastern Regional Director