The village of Minoa is discussing plans to look into participating with the Solarize CNY program, which is a five-county effort to promote solar energy in communities. It is part the Central New York Energy Challenge with funding through the New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA).
The program is open to municipalities in the five-county area. It brings the benefit of educating people within the communities who participate with information about solar power as well as cost reduction benefits for solar panel system installation, according to Minoa Mayor Richard Donovan.
Municipalities are being asked to decide if they want to participate by the end of January. If so, the village must form a committee, in addition to the Climate Smart Community committee that is already in place. This means some money and time will have to be invested by the village, said Donovan.
Donovan said he wanted to bring this information before the board because they need to make a decision whether to enter the program at the next village board meeting.
“I thought I would give you a quick overview tonight so you’re aware of it,” Donovan said to the village board at their Jan. 5 meeting. “I’ll get you whatever information you want for the next meeting … we’ll have to make a decision at that meeting if we’re going to be on board for the initial round.”
The next meeting of the board will be Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Also at the meeting, the board:
—Chief Erich Schepp and Station 2 Lieutenant Matt McGarity of the Minoa Volunteer Fire Department were sworn-in by village trustee John Abbott.
“I’d like to thank everybody for volunteering your service and I look forward to working with you this year” Donovan said.
—Ratified prior approval for the National Grid Energy Savings Plan to replace the lighting at Fire Station 2, with has an estimated annual savings on electric billion of $1,857.40 per year for the village.
—Approved a solid waste delivery agreement with Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agent.
Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].
