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Town-hall set for New Leaf Energy storage proposal after residents raise safety concerns
Summary
The Village of Highland Falls scheduled a Jan. 15 town-hall for New Leaf Energy to discuss a proposed Cedar Lane energy storage project after residents asked questions about safety and siting. Mayor DiSalvo said the company agreed to meet the community and warned the permit process could take months.
The Village of Highland Falls Board of Trustees scheduled a community town-hall for Jan. 15, 2026, at the Senior Center so residents can hear from New Leaf Energy about a proposed Cedar Lane energy storage project.
Resident James Magaletta asked why the company needed a special meeting; Mayor DiSalvo said he met informally with New Leaf Energy and recommended a public session so the company and residents would have a dialogue. "We came up with January 15th at the Senior Center," he said.
At the meeting residents raised safety and siting concerns. Roger Kelly asked, "what is the storage project for?" and Michael Leahy asked whether the project is like the facility in Warwick and whether the board could refuse it on safety grounds. Mayor DiSalvo said, "yes, it is like it but not the same. We have many concerns. Expect 120 days of meetings or so," indicating a multi-step review process and community engagement ahead.
Trustee James Ramus noted the project had been presented informally to the Planning Board and said the site is within a residential zone where such a use is not currently permitted. The board emphasized the project will be reviewed publicly and that no decision has been made.
Next steps: The town-hall on Jan. 15 will provide a forum for the company to present details and for residents to ask questions; subsequent formal land-use reviews and permit steps were indicated.
