Dryden town board approves solar PILOT law

The town of Dryden recently greenlit a solar-based law on the heels of a proposed solar development project by New York state.

The town board at its April 11 meeting approved, 4-0, a new local law for negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) when the development of solar farms is being considered in the area.

The law, which is the town’s first of the year, ensures that “the benefits of the community’s solar energy resource are available to the entire community by promoting the installation of solar energy generating equipment through a PILOT, granting reduced costs to system developers and energy consumers, and providing a revenue stream to the entire community.”

The town now requires a PILOT agreement for any developer that is looking to build a solar farm, or similar energy-producing projects, capable of generating at least 500 kilowatts of power. All agreements are pursuant to the real property tax law.

Noted in the law, “It is intended and hereby declared to address matters of local concern only and is intended to act in furtherance of the town’s authority with respect to zoning and land use laws and its police and taxation powers, related to solar energy systems.”

Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer said at the April 11 meeting that Tompkins County recently passed a similar law.

“It’s always been in the books that we can do this,” Leifer said.

The town currently has no pending proposals for solar farms. However, the town board will soon consider a proposal by New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) for a 12.5-megawatt solar array facility and a 2.5-megawatt battery energy storage system at the former Ithaca North landfill site on 557 Caswell Rd.

NYSERDA’s proposed project is under its build-ready program. The length of the project would go from the east side of Caswell Road to the south side of Peruville Road in Dryden.

The project will be revealed to the public when NYSERDA holds an open house today, April 17, at 6 p.m. at the fire hall at 26 North St. in the village of Dryden.

Terry Carroll, chief sustainability officer for the county, said the entire project will go through an approval process with the Dryden town board and planning board. The project itself will be introduced to the town board at its meeting on Thursday, April 18.

Once the development and approval process is complete, Carroll said that NYSERDA will auction the project for construction. NYSERDA’s hope, Carroll added, is that the project will begin construction in either 2025 or 2026. It is based on the “financial atmosphere” of the project as well, Carroll said.

With the town’s newest law, Leifer said that developers would have to notify all of the tax jurisdictions involved. Leifer added that the law will benefit the Dryden Central School District, the town and the village — along with the ambulance and fire tax districts and more.

Town Deputy Supervisor Dan Lamb praised the new law.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Lamb said.

A breakdown of the town’s local law is available at dryden.ny.us.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Dryden school district seeks school board candidates

The Dryden Central School District is seeking candidates for its upcoming school board election.

Four seats are up for a vote at the May 21 election. Three of the seats will have a three-year term from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2027. The fourth and final seat will run from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2025.

For further information or to obtain a candidate packet, contact District Clerk Carrie Merriman at 607-844-5361 or cmerrim1@dryden.k12.ny.us.

Candidate petitions, with 25 signatures, are due in the district clerk’s office by April 22 at 5 p.m.

Freeville to hold special meeting for proposed budget on April 19

The village of Freeville is holding a special meeting for its proposed 2024-25 budget on April 19 at 9 a.m. at the village office on 5 Factory St.

The meeting will include a public hearing on the tentative general fund and the sewer fund budgets, and to establish sewer rates for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The hearing will be followed by the village’s board of trustees voting on the proposed budget. Copies of the proposed budget are available either at freevilleny.org or in person at the village office.

Yoga for Life held every Wednesday in Freeville

Village of Freeville resident Michelle Dardia hosts a Yoga for Life session every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Freeville United Methodist Church at 37 Main St.

The drop-in fee for the session is $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Some experience is helpful but not required, as the sessions are committed to being accessible.

Variations and modifications are offered, and extra mats and blocks will be available at each session.

For information or questions, contact Dardia at dollysdaughter@hotmail.com or 607-279-4785.