By Sarah Opdahl
The regular New Fairfield Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting rolled well into a third hour on Thursday, January 25, with a lengthy presentation on a solar opportunity and a raft of comments from an engaged public who had gathered on the virtual meeting.
Mr. Kevin Siebrecht from Greenleaf Energy Solutions walked through a proposal to add a solar array on the Town landfill site, which would generate a net-zero project with electricity offsets that is intended to benefit 100% consumption of all Town and school buildings. This is a project that was in the works for many years in the previous Town administration and had never fully gained traction previously due to the costly need to bring three-phase power from the landfill out to Bigelow Road. However, it was pointed out that New Fairfield would be in a great position to pursue the project now, given the ability to lean on the federal government’s new Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a program for solar energy in the form of federal tax credits and structured municipal loans, “which changes the economics tremendously,” Siebrecht said.
Siebrecht walked through a high-level explanation of the testing that was completed on the site, the plans for how to connect it to the grid, how the array would work, and how it will look at upward of five acres in size. He also explained the warranty, the six-month build time, and any needs that he would anticipate, including the responsibilities of the installers, such as repairs and maintenance of the array.
A financial model was shown that indicates a lifetime of 25 years for the array with zero cash needed upfront. An over $5 million benefit over the 25 years should be realized, according to Siebrecht, “this is truly hands off, cash flow positive, and a solution that, together with the Eversource team, the team in New Fairfield, and our team we would expedite in getting installed.” With a quickly approaching deadline, he explained that all application materials must be submitted by March 14.
There were many questions from Town officials and the public about the system in general, financial outlay and the return on investment, the system’s safety, the realistic lifespan of the equipment given technological leaps, and more. Siebrecht noted that Greenleaf Energy has worked with the Town for more than a decade on a variety of energy conservation projects at the school and Town buildings. He will present to the Board of Education on Thursday, February 1.
There were numerous public comments for the solar project and others who urged caution. New Fairfield Board of Finance member Ms. Cheryl Reedy cut through the tension and asked Town officials and members of the public to consider what is best for New Fairfield without “taking sides.”
First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey addressed the public to say that the bus lot matter will stay the course, with review of alternate locations and continuing to remain withdrawn from the lawsuit. She said that the Town pursued withdrawal “at the advice of legal counsel.”
In public comment there were requests by many for the BOS to reverse their decision to withdraw from the bus lot legal appeal. They pointed to the already committed finances as a reason to see the matter through, as well as the likelihood of the judge having reached a decision at this point. On the flip side, there were commenters who applauded the decision to move the lot to a different location.
In other Town news, the BOS appointed Ms. Hannah Schiering to the Ball Pond Advisory Committee; Mr. Jeff Main to the Candlewood Lake Authority; and Ms. Ann Brown to the Conservation Inland Wetlands Committee.
The next regular Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Thursday, February 8, 7:30 p.m.