HORTONVILLE, NY — Residents of Baer Road turned out to a public hearing at the Town of Delaware meeting on Wednesday, June 8 to voice their opposition to a commercial solar farm proposed on their road, and their support of a moratorium. The public hearing addressed two issues: imposing a moratorium on commercial solar energy facilities, and amending the zoning law (the law can be read on the town’s website and was also written about in the May 19 issue of The River Reporter).

The room was packed as the town board listened to people’s comments. The Baer Road (which is off Route 97) residents brought with them a letter outlining their concerns (which totaled 31). The letter states, “As landowners we are not opposed to sustainable energy development; however, we urge the board to assure that every opportunity is given to addressing this important issue, and that all resources at your disposal be studied thoroughly to develop a comprehensive approach to this issue.”

Others were there as well, including Kris Heister, the superintendent of the National Park Service, who was there to remind the board that one of the proposed sites for a commercial solar farm is situated in the river corridor and would be subject to land and water use guidelines. Laurie Ramie and Pete Golod of the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) were also there, and the board knew that any solar project must be approved by the UDC.

Energy specialists such as Dick Riseling, Buck Moorhead and Wes Gillingham of the Catskill Mountainkeeper were there. Riesling said, “If it is to be done, it must be done right.” Gillingham echoed that, saying, “Take the time needed to evaluate how a town deals with a commercial entity.”

Some questions arose and were answered. For instance, the moratorium is up to six months, meaning it can be lifted at any time. However, it can also be extended. Many residents urged to board to take the full six months. Many in the room asked the board to create an advisory committee to work with the town board and planning board in creating the new zoning law.

After the public hearing ended, the board voted all in favor of the moratorium, but decided to table the vote on amending the zoning law. “My two cents is we don’t enact this local law tonight,” Supervisor Ed Sykes said. “We should take what we heard and consider it until we feel comfortable.”

One of the residents of Baer Road, Carla Hahn, questioned whether Sykes and the board had fully taken their comments into consideration. “In my mind, there was not one single item that is not addressed in the law,” Sykes said. He went on to say, “A lot of people tonight didn’t read the law, when in fact a lot of thought went into it.” Sykes said many people did not address the issue of taxation, because commercial solar farms are tax exempt.

When they asked again about an advisory group, Sykes said they created one a couple of years ago when the issue of natural gas was in question. He said the group included only those who were anti-drilling, and when he added people who were pro-drilling, the group disbanded. He also mentioned that the town has an Energy Committee and concerns can be taken to them. Energy Committee Chairperson Mav Moorhead was in the audience and said she would be open to that. Also, Isaac Green Diebboll, who is on the planning board, asked all those who wanted to continue the conversation to gather, and also to attend the next planning board meeting. All commercial solar projects must go before the planning board.

The board told residents to send in written comments with their specific concerns.