HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-31-18 Special Meeting (1)Town of Enfield Minutes
Town of Enfield
Special Town Board Meeting
Enfield Community Building
Thursday, May 31, 2018
6:30 p.m.
Present: Town Supervisor Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Michael Carpenter, Town Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey, Town Councilperson Becky Sims, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Absent: Town Councilperson
Virginia Bryant.
Supervisor McGee lead the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 6:35 p.m.
Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak.
Additions and Removals from the Agenda: There were no changes to the agenda.
Consent Agenda:
Supervisor McGee removed the Resolution to authorize the Supervisor to hire an Assistant Bookkeeper as final adjustments need to be made.
Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
Budget Amendment #2018-4Authorize Funds for PAVENY and Extreme Weather Recovery
WHEREAS approval for PAVENY and Extreme Weather Recovery Funds was granted after the 2018 budget was approved, and
WHEREAS funds for these expenditures must be spent prior to reimbursement, now therefore be it
RESOLVED the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to decrease DA599 “Appropriated Fund Balance” by $23,774.21 and increase DA5112.4 “PAVENY” by $23,774.21, and further
RESOLVED the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to decrease DA599 “Appropriated Fund Balance” by $20,137.40 and increase DA5112.3 “Extreme Weather Recovery” by $20,137.40.
Vote on Consent Agenda: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried
Old Business:
Delaware River Solar Building Permit Renewal: Supervisor McGee introduced Rich Winter, CEO of Delaware River Solar. Delaware River Solar’s building permit expires May 31, 2018 and they
applied to renew the permit. Councilperson Mehaffey questioned what would happen to the solar farm once tax benefits expired – who would be liable for decommissioning. Mr. Winter stated
once the solar farm is no longer operational, the landowner would be responsible. Although he felt the entire project was landfill eligible, and there are no toxic chemicals involved,
Delaware River Solar would be willing to enter into a standard Decommissioning Agreement with the Town.
Councilperson Carpenter questioned if the solar farm would be fenced and asked how grass would be kept down. Mr. Winter stated there would be a fence and they were experimenting with
sheep to keep the grass cut. If that didn’t work, someone would be hired to mow. There would be no herbicides or pesticides used.
Supervisor McGee asked if Delaware River Solar would be willing to enter into a Host Community Agreement. Mr. Winter felt that an Agreement similar to the one negotiated with Newfield
would be reasonable. He will provide draft documents of both a Decommissioning Agreement and a Host Community Agreement for the Town Board to review.
Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Carpenter to authorize Code Officer Alan Teeter to approve the building permit renewal for the Delaware River Solar Project in
the Town of Enfield.
Vote: Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Councilperson Sims aye, Supervisor McGee aye, Councilperson Bryant absent. Carried
New Business:
Presentation on EV (Electric Vehicle) Charging Units: Supervisor McGee introduced Victoria McGarril of EV Tompkins who gave a presentation on EV Charging and how the county is trying
to increase public awareness of plug in hybrids, both gas and electric. One of the benefits to communities to provide charging units is it attracts EV drivers to local business and gives
an environmental edge. She encouraged Enfield to start thinking about the benefits of providing a charging station.
Supervisor McGee suggested that since the Park and Ride needs to have lighting added, maybe a charging station could be added if grant funding could be found.
Clean Energy Community Grant Discussion: Terry Carroll of Cornell Cooperative Extension was introduced. He was very pleased that Enfield received the Clean Energy Community designation
and had the possibility to be awarded a $50,000 grant. He suggested if the Town was interested in solar panels, they should get multiple estimates, although a lot of hard numbers wouldn’t
be needed at this time. If the original grant application is rejected, there would be another opportunity to submit an application. Greenhouse gas reduction is an important aspect to
look at.
Supervisor McGee suggested are two possible opportunities the Board has suggested. One would be the building envelope issues at the highway facility and the other installing solar for
Town electric usage – which could be expandable in the future.
Councilperson Carpenter stated he felt the highway building issues were complicated and would take a lot of time and thought. Wall value insulation might not give enough savings to qualify
for a grant.
After discussion, it was determined Terry Carroll would send Supervisor McGee a list of solar installers to ask for estimates of what a $50,000 system would look like. She will also
ask installers a list of questions pertaining to information necessary for the grant proposal application.
Proposed Solar Law: The Board started the process of going through the draft solar law, looking at comments Board members had noted. The process will be continued at the regular June
Town Board meeting under old business.
Adjournment: Supervisor McGee adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice M. Linton, RMC
Enfield Town Clerk