Next public hearing is Dec. 17
By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The town of Van Buren is continuing in its quest to update the portion of the town’s code that deals with solar power. The Van Buren Town Board held two public hearings Dec. 3 on the subject.
The town board voted to opt out of providing a tax exemption for solar installations. The Baldwinsville Central School District and the town of Lysander also have opted out of this tax exemption.
“Every time an exemption is issued in this town, somebody else pays for it,” Supervisor Claude Sykes said.
Sykes said New York state and the federal government already provide subsidies for homeowners looking to install alternative energy systems.
Resident Peter Wilder pointed out the state’s subsidies are set to run out at the end of the year, and he said he has contacted state legislators about advocating for an extension. Town Councilor Wendy Van Der Water asked if the town could contact lawmakers to offer support for extending the subsidies as well.
Resident Kelley Roe said “we’re all paying for” climate change.
“Personally, if I can’t afford to pay for my own solar array, I’m happy to pay more in taxes to help someone else pay for it,” she said.
New York state law requires municipalities to hold two public hearings before making changes to comprehensive plans. The board heard comments from residents Dec. 3 and scheduled the second public hearing on the proposed amendment to the comprehensive plan for Dec. 17.
Wilder and his neighbors spoke in favor of the proposed amendment, which outlines the town’s desire “to promote the effective and efficient use of solar energy systems.”
“Solar is extremely economical when installed by a responsible contractor,” Wilder said, adding that solar power makes the grid more resilient and generating power locally reduces electricity loss.
Wilder reiterated his belief that the town should retain a consultant to keep laws governing alternative energy systems current, as the technology is changing rapidly.
Resident Andy Bowes also spoke in favor of solar power, but noted that the town needs to be able to regulate installations to avoid losing valuable farmland to large solar farms.
“Massachusetts is actually inundated with industrial solar,” Bowes said.
Bowes expressed his concern that Van Buren’s laws regarding solar do not distinguish between “large and mid-sized solar arrays differently than a small ground mounted system for a single-family residence.” Sykes said residents who want to install smaller solar arrays could apply for a use variance with the Van Buren Zoning and Planning Board.
Zoning and Planning Board Chair Tony Geiss commended Deputy Supervisor Mary Frances Sabin and ZPB Member James Ruddock for their efforts in drafting the new solar regulations according to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) standards.
“I think we’re dealing with an emerging technology — exploding, really,” Geiss said.
