Jefferson Sets Public Hearing on Solar Moratorium

JEFFERSON  – Members of the Jefferson Town Board approved bid prices for the sale of surplus equipment, totaling $34,400 during their meeting last Thursday, and set a public hearing for the May 8 meeting for a proposed six-month moratorium on solar facilities.

Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson ran down the list of surplus equipment for board members to approve the bids placed on Auction International. He also ran down his list of roadways for repair in the upcoming season. He is also making a grader patch to begin repair of roadways which are in more severe shape this spring due to the cold weather and up and down temperatures. He can't begin repairs until the roadways have settled from the heaving.

Councilman Don VanValkenburgh, gave a lengthy report on Jefferson Heritage Day, saying they are currently taking ads for the booklet. They are looking at a chainsaw demo and fireworks, the sale of  Heritage Day t-shirts to the public, an outdoor movie and compiling a list of volunteers to help with the event. He said the March meeting was well attended. They are getting information on social media and are working on the website. They are also looking to increase the list of vendors.

Supervisor Peggy Hait thanked Ingrid Zemir for her years of service as the town historian.

She made note of the new lighting in the town hall and court, which has been switched to LED both inside and out. She is going to check to see if the same can be down at the highway garage. The lights will save the town money and were installed through a special NYSEG grant.

She reported that elections have reverted back to their former schedules, rather than they newer schedule proposed by Governor Hochul. However, she cautioned everyone that it could change again and to be prepared.

Schoharie County was the first of 33 counties in the state, with a 74 percent voter turnout last November. 

The town received a check for $9,580 due to the low number of workers compensation calls.

The town received thank you notes from the West Jefferson Cemetery and the Evergreen Cemetery for the checks presented by the town to help with maintenance of the two cemeteries.

Supervisor Hait said the town has received  from the NYS Officers of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regarding the properties to be listed as historic and recommended to the registry. The maps can be viewed on the website: https://park, ny, gove, shpo/national-register/Jefferson Historic DistrictJeffersonSchoharieCo.

Board members adopted a proposed fee schedule related to solar projects. There are 10 fees related to solar, the intent is to ensure solar companies pay their fair share. The pre-application fee is $15,000 per megawatt, with a minimum of $30,000 in order to begin development and the first sketch plan. It also includes a transfer permit fee, an application fee, transfer indemnification fee, construction permit fee, demolition fee, construction demolition inspection fees and an annual energy producing surcharge of one cent for kilowatt of energy sold. The specifications come from the Department of Energy website, according to Rich Irwin, code enforcement officer. The schedule was adopted.

Currently, it was noted, there are no proposed solar projects. The town already has an operating project owned by Camp Oorah.

The town is seeking the moratorium to allow the planning board time to upgrade the regulations for solar projects.

A quote of $11,500 for a new 145,000 BT boiler for the highway garage was approved and includes installation by BPI, of Waterford,NY. Supervisor Haiti was asked to get a price on purchasing a second boiler only to store for future installation.

Councilman VanValkenburgh asked that the money from the sale of the Post Office building be earmarked for a new highway garage. He said the town needs to begin the process so money is set aside for what will be needed in the future.