HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-13Dryden Ag Committee
July 13, 2016
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Dryden Agriculture Advisory Committee
July 13, 2016
Members Present: Kim LaMotte (Vice-Chair), Steve Foote, Joe Osmeloski, Brian
Magee and Evan Carpenter (at 8:50PM)
Liaisons Present: Craig Schutt (Conservation Board) and Jason Leifer (Town Board)
The meeting was called to order at 7:35PM
Community Solar Seminar: C. Schutt
- The Dryden Planning Board hosted a seminar on June 30, 2016 regarding
commercial solar facilities. They had several speakers including Chris Denton
(an attorney with knowledge of leases), a representative from the Delaware River
Solar company (the group that has a lease with Evan Carpenter) and Ron
Szymanski (local solar entrepreneur).
- The solar facilities need to be located near 3-phase power lines and there has to
be sufficient demand. The representative from Delaware River believes Dryden
can only handle two facilities.
- The leases can be very complicated and can include provisions such as “there
can be no competing land within 20 miles” or a farmer cannot work land close
to the solar facility because of the dust that can be generated and the lease
might include provisions that hold the farmer responsible for cleaning the dust
from the panels.
The Committee discussed the potential cell tower that is proposed for the former RPM
property. The tower would be located in a lower geographical area than normal which
will lead to a taller tower.
Conservation Board: C. Schutt
- The Conservation Board continued to work on the Natural Resources
Conservation Plan
- Mr. Schutt is working on the Agricultural part of the NRCP. He indicated that
he will be bringing his section to the Ag Committee for their review and
suggestions.
Planning Board:
- Hopshire Brewery will be adding an events room to their facility.
- The former Steven’s Heritage Furniture will be converted to an auction house;
most of the business will be via internet.
- The Board also visited the TC3 solar facilities for a visual tour to provide more
background for a renewable energy law that will permit large solar facilities to
build in Dryden.
Dryden Ag Committee
July 13, 2016
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Farmland Protection Plan:
- Farm worker housing is not addressed in the zoning review. The Committee is
requesting Mr. Frantz address that issue.
- From the Ag Profile, the Committee discussed the ranking which they need D.
Teeter to explain.
- The Committee agreed that Dryden really can’t support more CSAs. Right now,
the market is saturated.
- What is the percentage of total town taxes do the farmers pay? Compared to
non-farmers, how much are the farmers paying?
Review and approval of minutes from June 8, 2016:
J. Osmeloski moved to approve the minutes as presented, S. Foote seconded the
motion and the minutes were unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk