OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Code Enforcement Officer James Crowell spoke regarding a solar project on New Road at a previous Town Board meeting. At the latest meeting, the Board moved forward with the project

SHERIDAN — The Town of Sheridan took the next step regarding another solar energy project at a recent Town Board meeting. The Board approved the decommissioning plan and bond for the Erie Coast Solar project on New Road.

The 2.2 megawatt solar energy facility is to be located on roughly 30 acres of land on New Road, utilizing 14.85 acres of the land, surrounded by a fence, with wetlands preserved on the property and no major disruption of trees or wildlife in the area. The project has already been granted approval for site work to begin prior to being granted a Special Use Permit to allow for trees to be cleared prior to the nesting of the long-eared bat species, as required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Town Board also previously accepted the Host Community Agreement between Erie Coast Solar LLC and the Town of Sheridan.

Also at the recent meeting, the Town Board authorized Code Enforcement Officer James Crowell to obtain competitive prices for work to improve the Sheridan Community Center, including painting, ceiling repair, and renovation of the restrooms to allow for handicap accessibility. Crowell was also authorized to obtain competitive prices for the repair or replacement of three fire hydrants in the Town.

The Town Board also approved contracts with Bahgat and Laurito-Bahgat for legal services; Nuisance No More for pest control; and Casella for waste management.

Ashley Olrogg was hired as a part-time court clerk at a rate of $19 per hour. Mark Dietzen was hired as additional security for the April 8 Solar Eclipse at a daily rate of $125.

A total of $34,601.50 was collected in the month of February by the Town Justices and turned over for distribution. The Town Clerk collected $296.50 for the month of February.

Crowell reported 10 building permit applications, 21 inspections on construction, three certificates of occupancy, two certificates of compliance, six public safety inspections, three investigations on a complaint, three notices of violation, and one court action in the month of February. He took in a total of $670.

At the next regular meeting of the Town Board, April 10, the Board will hold a public hearing for a moratorium regarding battery storage facilities. The Town Board is seeking to implement a moratorium to allow for more time to review the matter. The hearing will open at 7 p.m. at the Sheridan Community Center.