Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Moratorium topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Walton board adopts one-year moratorium described as applying to battery energy storage systems; packet text references solar systems
Summary
The Town Board adopted Resolution #62 described in the meeting as a one-year moratorium on battery energy storage systems; the packet text distributed at the meeting contains moratorium language that references solar energy systems, a discrepancy the record shows but the board adopted the item by roll-call vote.
On April 13 the Town Board of the Town of Walton approved Resolution #62, recorded in the minutes as Local Law No. 2 of 2026, described by the meeting notice and the clerk as "a one (1) year moratorium on 'Battery Energy Storage Systems.'" The motion to adopt was made by Councilman Kevin Armstrong and seconded by Councilman Luis Rodriguez-Betancourt; the board recorded five aye votes (Supervisor Joseph Cetta; Councilmen Kevin Armstrong and Leonard Govern; Councilwoman Patricia Wood; Councilman Luis Rodriguez-Betancourt).
The packet text presented to the board alongside the motion contains moratorium language that explicitly references "Solar Energy Systems" and detailed land-use moratorium provisions (suspension of processing of land-use approvals, definitions and statutory authority under the Municipal Home Rule Law and Town Law). The transcript therefore records an inconsistency between the law's title as announced at the meeting (battery energy storage systems) and the moratorium text shown in the packet (solar energy systems). The board adopted the resolution as presented.
The moratorium text in the packet broadly describes suspension for one year of review and approval of land-use applications (site plans, building permits, special use permits, variances and certificates of occupancy) for facilities defined as generating or storing electric power for sale or use off-site. The packet text also lists typical items for moratoria (term, severability, effect on other laws and an explicit ban on filing variances during the moratorium).
Because the meeting record contains conflicting references, the Town Clerk’s office or Town Attorney may need to confirm which subject (battery energy storage systems or solar energy systems) the adopted Local Law No. 2 is intended to cover and whether a corrected text will be filed with the Department of State. The transcript notes that no floor time was requested for this agenda item.
The board took the action by roll-call vote. If the board or town staff issues a corrected or clarified text, that will determine the moratorium’s precise scope and which permit types are affected.
