Sheridan extends permit for solar project
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SHERIDAN -- One solar energy project in the town of Sheridan is in the process of moving forward, while another appears to be on hold.
The Town Board granted a one-year extension to the special use permit issued to RIC Energy for the Sheridan II Solar Project. Sheridan II Solar is a 3-megawatt solar energy system to be located at 2979 Middle Road. The project abides by the Town's solar energy laws and setback guidelines.
Weston Hillegas from RIC Energy stated the process has taken more time than anticipated working with National Grid, but after the Town Board granted an extension, the permit renewal fee was paid and the project is moving forward.
The project's amended Decommissioning Plan and Host Community Agreement were approved earlier this year. The Host Community Agreement will pay the Town $1,800 per megawatt in Year One, with an escalator of 2% each year for 25 years.
Code Enforcement Officer James Crowell said a project on Newell Road, however, has gone silent in recent months. After the Board approved Kingbird Solar NY, LLC, for a 20-megawatt solar energy system from Newell Road to Cook Road, the Town has yet to hear back from anyone associated with the project.
The Town Board stated it seemed strange that the project would not move forward after it was approved. Crowell told the Board that in many cases, solar energy projects submit plans to municipalities after the land is secured, but companies often wait to secure funding until after the project is approved by local government. In such cases, projects can end up being scrapped even after approval if appropriate funding is not secured. Crowell believes that might be the case with the Newell Road project.
The month of September was one of the busiest months that Crowell has had in recent years. He received 20 building permit applications in September, mostly stemming from renovations to residences in the town. Crowell also issued four certificates of occupancy and four notices of violation. He conducted 27 inspections on construction, one public safety inspection, and five investigations of a complaint, while preparing information for court proceedings four times. Crowell also attended training Sept. 16-18 at a cost of $350. A total of $1,127.50 was collected and turned over for distribution.
In August, Crowell received 10 building permit applications. Six certificates of occupancy and one certificate of compliance were issued in August, and there were 18 inspections on construction, one public safety inspection, two investigations of a complaint, and one property investigation. Crowell issued one notice of violation, one stop work order, and an address change. A total of $550 was collected in August for distribution.
In the month of September, the Town Justice Court received 153 Vehicle and Traffic Law cases with 141 disposed of; four Penal Law Cases with two disposed of; one Civil Law case received and one disposed of; and received one case each of Regulatory Law, Town Ordinance Law, and NY Code Law. A total of $15,753 was collected and turned over for distribution.
In August, the Town Court received 149 Vehicle and Traffic Law cases and disposed of 141, along with four Penal Law cases received and seven disposed of. A total of $15,949 was collected in August and turned over for distribution. In the month of August, the Town Clerk's Office collected $276.50 in revenue, with $248.50 turned over to the General Fund and $28 sent to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
The next meeting of the Sheridan Town Board will be on Wednesday, Nov. 4, a week earlier than usual due to Veterans Day. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a pair of public hearings – regarding building codes and the 2027 budget – before the regular meeting commences.