The last possible impediment to the placement of a controversial public safety emergency-communications tower in this town’s  rural landscape is now removed.

A ruling on narrow grounds, if not appealed, paves the way for 180-foot tower.

On Friday, Judge Gerald Connolly  in Albany’s State Supreme Court denied a motion by the county and the sheriff to dismiss the Article 78 petition  by Scenic Rensselaerville, the citizens’ group that court papers describe as having 170 members, many of them artists.

Properly following the process might have resulted in a better plan both for public safety and for those who value the views.

In December, Scenic Rensselaerville, a group that court papers describe as having 170 members, many of them artists, sued the Albany County sheriff in December.