Little Falls board authorizes notice to renew one-year moratorium on solar energy systems

Town Attorney Nicholas Macri told the Town Board on Aug. 12 that the town’s existing solar energy moratorium is due to expire and requested authorization to notify the Oneida-Herkimer Planning Board of the town’s intent to renew or institute a one-year moratorium on solar energy systems. The board approved the request and adopted Resolution #66.

Supervisor Dan Casler also reported recent correspondence from the Holy Trinity Russian Monastery regarding the Terra-Gen wind project and said he received an unsolicited meeting request from Solar on Earth Company about the NYS Sun Program and a National Grid dollar credit program; Casler said he is not interested in pursuing that meeting at this time. Attorney Macri’s motion to notify the planning board was adopted on a motion by Councilman Anthony Viscomi, seconded by Councilman Kirk Schwasnick (ayes recorded: Supervisor Casler; Councilmen Viscomi, Schwasnick). The resolution authorizes the town attorney to send formal notice of the town’s intent to renew or institute a one-year moratorium on solar energy systems so the planning board and affected applicants are informed.

Why it matters: A moratorium temporarily halts approvals or permits for new solar installations and gives the town time to consider zoning, permitting, and any external project proposals that could affect the town’s planning and land-use decisions. The board did not set ordinance text in this meeting; it authorized notice of intent to renew the moratorium to the regional planning body and will address regulatory details in future proceedings.

Next steps: The notice will be forwarded to the Oneida-Herkimer Planning Board per Resolution #66; any further action to adopt or refine local regulations would return to the board or planning board for review.