Solar Facility Moratorium Now Official in Jefferson

JEFFERSON – No one spoke during a public hearing for a proposed Solar Moratorium Law and members of the Jefferson Town Board approved a resolution adopting the local law for the six month moratorium on solar facilities, during their regular meeting last Thursday. 

They also rescinded the motion to set aside the balance of money from the sale of the post office building, in the amount of $50,000 and amended it to read building reserve fund. The original motion was to put it in the highway garage fund. 

They approved earmarking $3,500 of the balance for celebrations, which will be used to purchase new banners and hardware, to replace the damaged American flags and brackets along Main St.. A motion was made to approve the purchase. The town will replace the damaged flags with American flag banners that are fixed at top and bottom to hopefully prevent damage and destruction from the wind. 

The post office building was sold for  $103,500, with $50,000 used to reduce taxes. Another $50,000 will go toward a  building reserve fund, leaving $3,500 for the celebrations. The cost of the banners will be $2,606 and board members approved the purchase and the account.

Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson said they will be making a grader patch to help fix roadways that received heavy damage from winter weather. He said Moxham and Stannard roads were on the list and he said Taber Woods is very bad. "Eleven or 12 of our roads lost a lot of our black top due to the up and down temperatures and the weather.” He said he plans to oil and stone five roadways this season.

Councilman Ken Cole reported that the Delaware and Ulster Rail Ride is hoping to have a small excursion train going this season. He also reported the green committee has one small tree to place and would like to add mulch to all the trees on the green. 

The town advertised for bids to power wash the town hall, but will review the bids to ensure the two bids received were bidding on the same square footage.

The town will add a "hold harmless" section to its insurance coverage and will require vendors to the town to have an adequate amount of insurance to cover the town. 

Board members also discussed billing fire department members who had used fuel from the town garage. 

Town Historian Bonnie Dailey has been going through items in the Maple Museum and cleaning the case. She is making her way through the documents and photos in the town historian’s office and updating the binder of obituaries. She is also creating specific files for the town green, the opera house and other places.

She said the town should have a historical marker from the West Jefferson Methodist Episcopal Church by fall and the town will need to install it.

Councilman Don VanValkenburgh reported the Jefferson Heritage Day Committee is still working to get fireworks for the July 12 event. There will be hunter green and heather gray t-shirts for sale to the public. The committee thanks the town for its continued support. 

The town assessor has completed the tentative assessment roll and is available to answer any questions or complaints. Grievance Day will be held at the town hall May 27 from 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m..

Theresa Buck was reappointed to the town's Assessment Review Board.