Dexter council tables decision on commercial solar farm ordinance
DEXTER — A decision on a proposed commercial solar farm ordinance will not be made for at least another month as the Dexter Town Council tabled the item during an April 10 meeting.
Council Chair Marcia Delaware suggested tabling the ordinance so language in the document could potentially be revised.
“To me it just seems too important not to tie up those loose ends,” Councilor Adam Briggs said.
Some questions concern the size of larger residential solar systems, which could potentially cover more land than commercial outfits and still be exempt from the ordinance, and the definitions of medium and larger arrays.
Last month the council extended a moratorium on commercial solar arrays for another year as the planning board develops the more comprehensive ordinance to regulate what kind of developments would be permitted in town,
The latest moratorium will last for a year, as opposed to a previous moratorium that was only 180 days. It is the second time the moratorium has been extended since first going into effect in May 2024.
With the moratorium in place, the town can temporarily pause any new solar farm development while more permanent measures are developed. The moratorium is based on the development’s size, and does not apply to solar panels that homeowners or small businesses may install.
The idea of having a non-binding referendum question on solar for the November ballot to gauge the public’s thoughts has been mentioned.
In other business, the council voted to transfer an acre of town-owned property, known as the Tilson’s parking lot, to the Overbrook Corporation.
The entity had approached the town about wanting to pave the entire parcel, part of which is owned by Overbrook, and conveying the property would make this easier.
Under the agreement, the municipality would still be able to use the parking lot while the corporation maintains it.
“If they’re closed there will be parking in front of the gate,” Town Manager Trampas King said, saying this area would have about 15 spaces.
“They will own it but they will leave it for us to park there,” he said.
The council formally approved moving $300,000 from the undesignated fund account to the streets, roads and bridges paving account. The $300,000 would enable the hired contractor to carry out some paving earlier in the spring season,
Typically prices for paving work are better in the spring.
“We try to do things in the spring so we can enjoy them before the winter,” King said. Road work being done at this time of year can also often be completed, as opposed to work in the fall that may be left incomplete due to the weather conditions.
Spring paving will be put out to bid and the council will make its decisions at a future meeting.
The Dexter Rail Riders ATV Club was authorized by the council to apply for financial assistance for trail maintenance under the Bureau of Parks and Lands provisions.
The application is submitted annually with about $87,000 coming in last year, distributed through the town to the ATV club. The Dexter Rail Riders have a 10 percent match requirement which can consist of trail work and other improvements.