Pioneer photovoltaic system installed in Forestburgh

FORESTBURGH, NY — The first solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the Town of Forestburgh gets the final inspection from Forestburgh building inspector Rich Lorino, left, as installer John Lorino defines details of the design. According to John, who is from All Around the House Energy in Glen Wild, the new solar technology used makes 25 percent more electricity from sunlight than equipment that he was selling only months ago and is 25 percent less expensive.

The prototype system is also connected to the internet so that it can be monitored remotely to evaluate the performance of each individual solar panel.

For more information visit MyElectricCompany.com or call 845/434-0212.

Tusten receives byway grant

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Town of Tusten received a $5,486.56 share of an Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB) grant on August 11 after completing its project to install an eagle-viewing telescope and provide support to the Narrowsburg Country Market.

In partnership with the Narrowsburg Beautification Group, the Town of Tusten purchased the telescope from SeeCoast Manufacturing Co. of Fairhope, AL and installed it last summer on the Main Street observation deck overlooking the Big Eddy. The mounted base, non-coin telescope enables visitors to access close-up views of bald eagles and other wildlife on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. The town also provided support to the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce’s farmers market, which runs every Saturday afternoon from June through October in the municipal parking lot next to the Tusten Town Hall.

For more information visit www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org.

Wanted: farmers interested in selling development rights

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Sullivan County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, with the assistance of the Sullivan County Division of Planning & Environmental Management (DPEM), is seeking landowner applications for the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSA&M). This program provides grants to municipalities to purchase the development rights (or PDR) from a landowner and place a conservation easement on the property. The easement is a permanent restriction on the deed regarding potential for further development on the property. This initiative, if funded by NYSA&M, will protect the best agricultural lands in Sullivan County while preserving the quality of life and rural character that are important to County residents.

Those interested should contact DPEM before Monday, August 31. For more information call 845/807-0527.

Comments sought on green energy grants

HARRISBURG, PA – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) seeks public comments on guidelines for a new grant offering under the new PA Green Energy Works! Program, which aims to reduce energy costs for consumers, businesses and local governments.

As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Pennsylvania will receive $99.6 million, to be used as grants to businesses, non-profit corporations, colleges or universities, municipal or county governments and economic development organizations for shovel-ready wind, solar, biogas and combined heat and power projects.

Draft guidelines for the program are available for public review at www.recovery.pa.gov under “Where is your money going?” Click on “Energy Independence.” Comments will be accepted until August 24, and should be sent to epapagreenenergy@state.pa.us or to DEP’s Office of Energy and Technology Development, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772.

Bonacic slams welfare bonuses

ALBANY, NY — New York State Senator John Bonacic has gone on record as opposing Governor David Paterson’s decision to give bonus grants of $200 to welfare recipients with school-age children. Bonacic noted in a press release that such grants will be received even if the children are not going to school, and to welfare recipients who are under sanction because they refuse to comply with work or job search requirements.

Bonacic said that the same funding could have been used either toward property tax relief, or to end the tax on SUNY tuition imposed earlier this year.

“The State’s Democratic leaders have refused to vote on property tax reform, taken the STAR rebate checks, and even taxed SUNY tuition by nearly $500 per student—but they want to give out welfare bonuses. The radical left of the Democratic Party has taken over New York,” Bonacic said.