Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Law topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town of Alfred schedules public hearing on Solar Law amendments; resident raises evacuation concern
Summary
The Town Board will hold a public hearing June 11, 2026 on recommended amendments to the town Solar Law. Residents raised safety questions about evacuation in case of solar-site fires and asked code enforcement to require tree replanting at the Alfred University Sports Complex. Board approved routine minutes and vouchers.
The Town Board of Alfred voted on routine financial and administrative items and set a public hearing on proposed Solar Law amendments for June 11, 2026, after the Planning Board and the town attorney recommended changes.
Supervisor Jesse Szalc told the board that the Planning Board and Town Attorney Dwight Kanyuck recommended amendments to the town’s Solar Law; the board will forward the draft to the County Planning Board and hold a public hearing June 11, 2026. Catherine Chambers, a meeting attendee, urged the board to clarify emergency evacuation procedures in the event of a fire at any proposed solar project; the board noted those procedures would be addressed through the Special Use Permit (SUP) process.
Guest Dan Acton asked the board to enforce the Special Use Permit terms for the Alfred University Sports Complex, saying several trees are dead and should be replaced. The board discussed that request alongside routine reports.
In other business, the board reviewed the written police report, which said April was the busiest in the past 10 years with 137 traffic tickets issued; the report also noted Hot Dog Day ran smoothly and Chief VanSkiver traveled to Albany to receive an award. The highway report flagged the town roller being listed on Auctions International through June 19 and noted some veteran banners were in poor condition.
The board approved the minutes of April 9 and April 15, 2026 (motion by Brad Burdick, second by Kate Rogers, carried 5-0). It also approved the General and Highway abstracts and associated vouchers as recorded in the meeting minutes (motions and seconds recorded; vote 5-0). The minutes record a truck payment and an available $10,000 early-payment discount; the meeting record lists the payment figure in the minutes.
Kate Rogers said she will attempt to complete the court audit by the end of the month. The Board of Assessment Review is scheduled to meet May 28. Council member Kathleen Benzaquin requested that a Municipal Association of Code Enforcement (MACE) representative attend the July meeting to discuss property maintenance and enforcement of zoning and building codes. The board received an NYMIR inspection report with recommendations and an invitation to participate in Angelica’s 250th anniversary events.
A motion to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. by Kate Rogers, seconded by Kathleen Benzaquin, carried 5-0. Town Clerk Janice L. Burdick signed the meeting minutes.
