Town Board Hears Solar Project Proposal
By Doug La Rocque
CS Energy, a company out of Edison, New Jersey, told the Hoosick Town Board at its Monday, March 9 meeting, it has applied to New York State Energy and Resource Development Authority (NYSERDA), to become part of its Large Scale Renewables program, and construct a 100-acre solar development site on land in the vicinity of Pine Valley and Ford’s Roads. The endeavor is called the Hawthorne Solar Project. Mathew Tripoli, the Director of Project Development, said a 100-acre site is about as big as they can go in eastern New York, because of the topography. He also said it would be a 20 megawatt facility.
That was good news to Rensselaer County’s Director of Tax Services, Bill Film, who said a new law currently part of Governor Cuomo’s budget bills, would take all local control for siting and approval away from towns and villages, for projects bigger than 20 megawatts. He gave the board a 40-page summary of the new law. He also mentioned that PILOT programs, payments in lieu of taxes, would also fall under state control, where school districts could realize up to 70 percent of those payments. Currently many such PILOT programs give 50% to a local school district, 25% to the county and 25% to the locality.
Supporting A PDR Application
The Board agreed to ask Town Supervisor Mark Surdam to write a letter of support for a Property Development Rights application to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets on behalf of Sheffer Grassland Dairy. The application would be through the Dairy Transistions grant program, administered in Rensselaer and Washington Counties by the Agricultural Stewardship Association in Greenwich. Deputy Town Supervisor Eric Sheffer, who owns the dairy, recused himself from the board during the discussion and vote.
Motocross Track
Concerns Revisited
Last summer the Board got an earful from a number of West Hoosick residents, concerning the use of a former motocross track, for what the owners say is private use only. At that time, it was the public’s contention that they were charging for use of the track, the money to be used for repair and upgrades to the course. They claimed that made it a commercial enterprise, subject to Town Zoning and Planning Board Approval. The Town Board subsequently took no action, as Supervisor Surdam said again at the Monday meeting, it’s a gray area as the Town Code does not specify between public and personal use. Those speaking to the Board that evening again raised that matter and concerns about noise levels as well as dust. Councilmembers indicated they had no proof they were violating any noise ordinance, nor that they were riding after 10 pm, the cutoff time for such activities. It was agreed they should perhaps revisit any existing noise ordinances.
Bovie Hill Road Repairs
Highway Superintendent Bill Shiland said $46,500 would be needed to fund an engineering study as to how to best fix the continuing Bovie Hill Road problem. He said he is hoping to find some help in raising the money, perhaps from Rensselaer County. He made his remarks looking directly at County Legislator Jeff Wysocki, who was in attendance. Mr. Wysocki said he would certainly bring the matter up at the County Legislative meeting, scheduled for the next night.
The $46,500 could be just the tip of the iceberg, as it is only the cost of the engineering study, not construction of the repairs that will be needed.
Recreation Issues
While approving the appointment of Ashley St. Onge as Summer Camp Director and Kim Brownell as Pool Manager, the discussion came up about the possibility of a full time Recreation Director for the town. It was decided to place the matter on the agenda for the workshop meeting on March 18.
Also discussed was revamping the summer camp application and creating a handbook for parents. Expanding the camp from six to seven weeks is also under consideration, provided enough counselors can be found to cover the extra week.
Other Items
The Town will sponsor a local lifeguard training program to be held in part at the Hoosac School pool, on April 13, 14 and 15. The cost is $260 per person, of which the town will reimburse half, provided the applicant works at the Town Pool the full swim season.
The Reynold/Gilchrist rink is closed for the season, just in time for the new turf to be laid down. That is being picked up very soon.
The Community Participation Work Group (CPWG) is opening up a recruitment period for membership for its second year as it continues to engage community input on the remediation of PFOA contamination sites and study of alternative water supply options. The CPWG is also seeking volunteers to participate in a Health Study Community Assistance Panel. If interested, please call 1-833-732-7697 or email PFAS@albany.edu
The board set 6:45 pm on Monday, April 13, as the time for a public hearing on building code changes being brought on by New York State deciding to switch back previous state codes, instead of the international codes the state has been using for the past five years.