ELDRED, NY — They had no text of the proposed law before them on November 9, but the Highland Town Board was still able to schedule a public hearing for a moratorium on commercial solar displays.

The hearing was scheduled prior to the regular board meeting at 6:50 p.m. on December 13; following what are expected to be a series of very brief hearings on the 2017 contracts for the Sunshine Hall Library, the Eldred American Legion Ambulance Service, the Highland Lake Fire Department and the Yulan Fire Department, all of which were scheduled to begin progressively at 6:45 p.m.

The text of the moratorium, to be prepared by town attorney Michael Davidoff, is expected to be available soon for review at the town clerk’s office.

The moratorium is in reaction to concerns about the possible visual impact of large solar arrays from other landowners and recent debate at the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) over the proposed banning of commercial solar in the river corridor of the National Park Service-managed Upper Delaware River.

The board had entertained discussion of a moratorium earlier and no additional discussion took place before the unanimous vote.

At its brief meeting, the board also approved a new fast-track planning board application process for approval of permits for new construction and renovations, and approved an annual audit of town justice books by Supervisor Jeff Haas and Councilman Fred Bosch.

In other discussion, Haas reported that discussions were continuing with the LaBerge Group, planning consultants, in relation to the town’s proposed comprehensive zoning update and preparation of a UDC technical assistance grant to help fund it.