Conservation board members say solar-law workshop raised setback and safety questions; public hearing likely in March

Chair (speaker 3) said the town board's recent workshop about local solar siting policy highlighted sharp disagreement over setbacks and safety, and that the conservation advisory board will continue refining its recommendations.

"The big one right at the beginning was everybody's in disagreement on the setbacks," the Chair said, noting evidence was cited on both sides and that committee members recommended distinguishing among tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 systems because siting needs differ by system type. A committee member repeated that safety had arisen during the workshop and urged care as the town adjusts its draft.

The board discussed timing for public hearings. A speaker described the likely sequence: if the town board receives a consensus draft, it could be scheduled for public hearing in March; if not, April would be the fallback. "I would suspect it's likely we would send it to public hearing at the March," a Lawmaker (speaker 1) said, adding a March hearing is "best case scenario" and April is more likely if changes continue.

Members debated whether proposed changes to the solar law would require a separate hearing. The Lawmaker said it depends on how significant the amendments are and whether they depart from the prior version; the town attorney will advise on whether the edits are de minimis or substantial enough to trigger another public hearing.

Board members urged more joint discussion with other advisory bodies — planning, agricultural and historic boards — to avoid duplicative, inconsistent feedback. "Joint meetings" was offered repeatedly as a remedy to redundant, fragmented conversations and to let different boards weigh in face to face.

The Chair and committee members said they had submitted formal comments on the drafts and that the planning board had provided additional critiques; several members praised the workshop as helpful but noted the one-hour limit meant many topics could not be fully explored.

Next steps: the conservation board will continue to refine recommendations on setbacks and safety and expects to review and send a draft back to the town board; if the town board certifies a draft for public hearing the committee expects that hearing to be set in March or April.