Solar benefits environment, town budget

DAVID HULSE
Posted 8/21/12

ELDRED NY — Expeditiously approving two solar energy-related items on September 13, the Highland Town Board decided to protect both the earth and the local tax rate. The heavy hitter of the two …

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Solar benefits environment, town budget

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ELDRED NY — Expeditiously approving two solar energy-related items on September 13, the Highland Town Board decided to protect both the earth and the local tax rate. The heavy hitter of the two items was a model resolution for a “unified solar [building] permit and expedited permitting process.”

In addition to solar energy’s environmental benefits, adoption of the measure makes the town eligible for grants under several state clean-energy programs, as well as technical assistance from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Deputy Supervisor Jim Gutekunst said town attorney Michael Davidoff wanted the permitting change incorporated in a zoning change and suggested the measure go first to the planning board.

Supervisor Jeff Haas noted that the state’s codification of zoning law changes cost $1,500 each and asked if the town has “anything else in the pipeline” that could be done at the same time. He suggested waiting a month and see what comes up as multiple codification costs were not in the budget.

Haas said the town automatically gets $2,500 for adoption of the measure and may apply for grants up to $100,000 without providing local match funding.

Gutekunst said that the town would have “one shot” for the related grant application.

The board unanimously approved the resolution, and scheduled October 11 hearings beginning at 6:45 p.m. for both the budget and the permitting measure. They also directed that permitting measure be sent for review by the planning board and the county planning department.

The second resolution added town support to the Solarize Sullivan program, a non-profit support movement advocating expanded solar energy in the county. The movement, which offers discounts for program participants, is supported by NYSERDA. Solarize Sullivan is sponsoring a September 24 informational workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Eldred Town Hall.

Last week’s resolution authorized Haas to sign “all necessary documents and perform all acts required” for participating in the expedited program and “to obtain any incentives offered….” It further authorized the town code enforcement officer to “issue permits for small-scale solar installations under the provisions of the unified permitting process….”

Returning to the budget, the board scheduled 6 p.m. budget workshop meetings for September 22 and 28.

In other business, the board approved applications to the state for installation of full stoplights to replace cautionary blinking lights now at intersections in Barryville and Yulan. They heard praise for town constable Frank DiGianni, who is also a paramedic and member of the Jeffersonville Ambulance Corps, and who was credited for his repeated assistance to emergency medical responders at recent incidents. They also heard Doreen Warner, co-designer of the Monarch Butterfly Brochure with Debra Conway, report on the wide distribution and acclaim drawn by the recent release of the town-sponsored, Upper Delaware Council-funded brochure.

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