Carlisle Enacts Solar, Wind and Battery Storage Moratorium

Carlisle Town Supervisor John Leavitt discusses a moratorium on wind, solar and battery storage facilities during the May 1 board meeting. Photo by Chris English

By Chris English

CARLISLE _ As it continues its fight against a large proposed solar power facility, the Carlisle town board at its Wednesday, May 1 meeting voted to enact a six-month moratorium on wind, solar, and battery storage facilities in the town.

Town Supervisor John Leavitt said the moratorium is designed to prevent proposals for such facilities from gaining a foothold before a new town law governing them can be finalized. He voted in favor of the moratorium along with Council Members Robert Smith, Mary Tillapaugh, and Dave Laraway. Council Member Katie Schweigard was unable to attend the meeting.

The moratorium vote came after more discussion on Carlisle's fight against a proposal from Cypress Creek for a solar facility scheduled to include thousands of panels on a 100-acre tract off Brown Road that lies within both Carlisle and the neighboring town of Seward. Both towns are fighting the proposal through two different lawsuits, Leavitt explained.

Among the objections to the facility expressed at the May 1 meeting are that it wouldn't bring a fair enough share of tax revenue to either town and the impact on local roads of large trucks coming to and from the facility. Also cited as a concern was the facility's possible effect on several Amish families who live in the area and travel its roads.

Cobleskill resident Bill Toohey of Schoharie County Citizens Against Solar Assault (CASA) thanked the Carlisle board for its attention to the matter.

"As it goes forward, we would like to be kept apprised of what the next steps are," he said.

Leavitt said he felt New York State laws seem to be tilted in favor of companies looking to build solar power facilities.

"The state is just running crazy with this stuff, they really are," he said. "The state is pretty much letting them do what they want to do. There are so many factors we are trying to look at. There are a multitude of issues beside trying to get the whole thing stopped."

Carlisle's planning board is currently working on a new town law governing wind, solar and battery storage facilities, Leavitt added. The matter will eventually come before Leavitt and the council members for consideration of approval.

In other news from the May 1 meeting, the town board voted to approve the expenditure of around $5,000 for fire equipment. The money will come from Carlisle's share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic. Leavitt said the board needs to decide how to commit the town's remaining ARPA funds by the end of the year.

At the suggestion of Highway Superintendent Mike Broadwell, the town board will take bids on its current loader, a 2023 model, in contemplation of purchasing a new loader. The board reserved the right to reject any and all bids for the current loader.

The board approved about $550 in expenses for Broadwell to again attend Highway School next month. In his 22nd year as highway superintendent, Broadwell explained he has attended so many highway schools that his tuition has now been waived but the approved money will cover things like hotel accommodations, travel, and other expenses.

Broadwell reported that a beaver dam recently broke up, releasing water and causing some flooding on a town road. He added one landowner in the area has been granted a permit to "remove any beavers as he sees fit."

All snowplows have now been removed from township trucks, Broadwell added. "If we get another snow, it will have to go away by itself," he joked.

Carlisle resident Laurie Tyler brought up various issues at the May 1 meeting, including her worries that a planned expansion of a quarry near her home might lead to blasting and its resulting possible negative impacts.

Tyler said the town needs to update its comprehensive plan to better deal with issues like this and many others.

"It's supposed to be done every five years and the last update was in 2009," she said.

Leavitt responded "I don't disagree, it needs to be done."