Solar Liberty presents revised plan for sewer plant array; trustees split on study

Solar Liberty representatives Dean Stanton and Rob Gauchat told the Board that National Grid would perform a $6,500 restudy that “could show that we don’t need to pay the entire amount of the additional $300,000.” The consultants said the system’s recapture time would be nine years and that panel life expectancy is 35 years. “The recapture time is nine years,” they said, and estimated roughly $85,000 in net‑metering credits by the end of the year. They explained the system would use net metering—power would feed the STP building first, with excess sent to the grid for credit.

Trustees raised practical concerns at the meeting, including the condition of the compost plant roof earmarked for panels and the upfront cost. Trustee James Bonacquisti and Trustee Daniel Vanderhoof later said they did not want to proceed with the Solar Liberty study; Trustee Raymond Yacuzzo said having a study was part of due diligence. Mayor Gregory Rogers thanked the presenters and noted the Board would consider next steps. The record shows no formal motion to award a solar contract at this meeting.