GRANVILLE – The Town of Granville held a special town meeting Wednesday at the Community Christian School to allow Granville residents to vote on two warrant articles. Residents unanimously voted in favor of both articles.
The two warrant articles are focused on two proposed solar projects in town that have had their site plan’s approved by the Planning Board. Article one involves the solar project at 0 Hayes Rd. that is 25 acres while Article 2 is based on the 1730 Main Rd. property that is less than five acres.
The warrant articles were to see if voting residents would allow the Select Board to enter into negotiations with the developers of the respective solar projects for the potential of entering into an agreement. By voting in favor of the articles, the town benefits from the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program (PILOT ). The PILOT program takes the place of personal property taxes for the person or entity that owns the property where the solar project is.
Granville residents came out to the special town meeting at Community Christian School on Wednesday night to discuss the two warrant articles. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Brian Falcetti, who’s on the Board of Assessors, reminded those in attendance that the PILOT program is an extension of the Green Communities Act established by the state in 2010 that allows municipalities to receive grants for green energy if they meet certain criteria that promotes green energy.
Dave Ripley, Granville Select Board Chairman, sees the vote in favor of the two warrant articles as a way of supporting the Green Communities Act and being a Green Community.
“It would be nice if we kept up with that moving forward,” said Ripley.
However, Matt Wezowicz, a resident in town, was not as positive about allowing the two solar projects to move forward.
“You’re going to stripline trees and disturb wetlands, what’s green about that? Said Wezowicz.
Rich Pierce, Chairman of the Planning Board, who was also the moderator for the special town meeting, assured Wezowicz that the solar projects wouldn’t negatively affect the wetlands.
“All of these projects are well away from the wetlands, they have to be,” said Pierce.
Adrian Berndt defended the thought that solar provides green energy.
“It’s the gathering of the power that’s green,” said Berndt. “You’re saving a lot of pollution by this energy that’s created by the sun.”
It’s also the potential revenue that the town could see that some residents are attracted by. For the solar project on Hayes Rd., it’s estimated that the town will receive $14,000 per megawatt, with that particular project being six megawatts. Since the developer for the project, Gale Head Development will be entering into a 20 to 25-year contract, the town could see a revenue of $84,000 each year for 20 years, which would come out to around $1.68 million in revenue over 20 years.
“We have the first time in many, many years to make some serious money in Granville,” said Leon Ripley.
Since both warrant articles passed by the voters, the Select Board will now be able to enter into those negotiations with the developers.
