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Trustee says host‑community agreements are standard for Tier‑2 solar projects; board to review model language
Summary
Board members discussed incorporating host community agreements into the village’s draft solar law and resolved to circulate example agreements (Pomfret, Ripley) for review; no formal action taken.
Trustees discussed whether to incorporate host community agreements into the village’s draft solar law during the Jan. 21 workshop.
A trustee reported speaking with an environmental attorney and said many municipalities require a host community agreement—separate from the zoning or solar law—where the solar operator pays the host based on production. The trustee cited the Town of Pomfret and Village of Ripley as local examples and said staff would provide a Pomfret template for review. “But it's separate from the solar law. So it would have to be something that either us as the board or the planning board would have to negotiate with the solar company,” the trustee said.
Nut graf: the board did not vote but instructed staff to circulate example host community agreements and to compare formulas used by local economic development authorities to set payment terms.
Discussion noted the village should consider the example set by an Industrial Development Agency formula for charging solar companies; a trustee said they would request a copy of that formula for members’ review. No ordinance or binding policy was adopted; the topic will return for future consideration.
Ending: The trustee offered to distribute example agreements and asked members to review them before the next meeting so the board can consider whether to formalize a requirement for prospective solar projects.
