Port Jervis board clears environmental review for proposed solar field, approves next contracting and financing steps

The Port Jervis City School District Board of Education voted to begin the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process for a proposed solar array on the Vicaretti property and approved contracts and financing work to advance the project.

A board member described the plan as “a 2.25 megawatt” array on “about 10 acres,” located on Route 209 across from the Trace State Christian Camp, and said the array is intended to offset the district’s electricity use. The board approved a resolution classifying the project for SEQRA review and later approved hiring Hunt Engineering to perform the design work. Board members said engineering will be contracted now and construction company selection will follow after an RFP and interviews next month.

The board also approved engaging municipal advisor Bernard P. Donegan to assist with the financing for the energy performance contract that will fund the project. Board members explained that the district’s favorable audit results improve its position when selling bonds to investors, and the municipal advisor will help structure any borrowing. The board discussed that the project will use an energy-performance financing structure that typically includes a payback period; board members noted an internal estimate of a multi‑year payback but the specific annual savings figures discussed during the meeting were unclear in the transcript. The district said it will seek voter approval where required for the financing structure.

Votes at a glance (all voice votes; motion carried unless noted): - SEQRA agency determination for the Vicaretti solar project (approved, motion carried). - Contract for engineering services for the solar field (Hunt Engineering; approved, motion carried). - Resolution to engage municipal advisor Bernard P. Donegan for the performance contract financing (approved, motion carried). - Other routine approvals during the same meeting (textbook purchases, annual appointments, election/budget calendar) were also approved (see below for details).

Why it matters: Board members said an in-district solar installation could significantly reduce the district’s electricity costs and align with sustainability goals, while requiring up‑front design, financing and voter or public approvals. Board members linked the district’s strong audit results to better borrowing terms, and several board members and committee members were thanked for participating in the RFP process.

What happens next: The district will complete SEQRA review steps, finish engineering design, issue the construction RFP, and pursue financing arrangements with guidance from the municipal advisor. If required by the financing approach, the district will present the spending/borrowing plan to voters. The construction company and final finance terms are expected to return to the board for approval in a future meeting.

Quotes from the meeting: - “What this is is this is the book of Randy property up on Route 209 up in Houston and across from the Trace State Christian Camp where we wanna build a solar farm. The plan is we’ll build a 2.25 megawatt on about 10 acres,” a board member said during the SEQRA discussion. - “So when doctor Bell is talking about going out and getting bonds, having that auditor doing his work ... it really makes a difference for all of us,” a board member said when the municipal advisor resolution was discussed, referencing the auditor’s clean opinion.

Provenance: Transcript passages introducing and discussing the solar project and related finance and contracting steps begin with the SEQRA discussion (topic introduction) and continue through the municipal advisor and engineering contract approvals (topic finish). The meeting recorded voice votes carrying each motion.

Article provenance (transcript evidence): topicintro: SEG 1010; topfinish: SEG 1141