BETHEL — Receipt of a $67,000 check by the Town of Bethel from DSD, the firm that leases the solar array property, was announced at the Bethel Town Board meeting April 24, and drew comments by Supervisor Dan Sturm and the public. 

The sum represents a payment of $43,000 for the end of year 2022 into 2023, and $24,000 for the next year. The Town is to receive $28,000 annually for the next 20 years, for a total $600,000.

 The solar array, which occupies otherwise unusable space at a covered landfill site, is, according to Supervisor Dan Sturm, a “tangible win for the environment”; a win for taxpayers, since it reduces municipal energy costs by 10 percent; and is a win for those who signed up for it, who receive a 10 percent discount on electricity. It is also an opportunity for the Town to “try and set a good example for others”. The payment will go into the General Fund.

Municipal energy costs have been reduced with benchmarked buildings improving 7.8 percent in energy use between 2016 and 2023. All 178 streetlights have been converted to LED, significantly reducing usage, cost, and greenhouse gas emissions.  Between 2016 and 2023, their KwH usage was reduced 77.1 percent; GHG emissions were reduced 82 percent; and overall costs were reduced 65 percent. The design for the new Town Hall, in meeting passive energy standards, will significantly improve building efficiency, as well as the new, (soon to be constructed), energy efficient Highway Barn.

Denise Frangipane suggested that the sum received be reinvested into parks and open spaces. Barbara Lerner researched the disposal of solar panels when they reach their 20-year expected lifespan, and discovered that 90 percent goes to landfills.

Letter in support of 

CEA designation

A letter to Supervisor Dan Sturm from resident Jodi Ekelchik thanked him and offered support for the designation of Critical Environmental Area (CEA) for White Lake. The benefits she listed include :

1. Health and safety for the community and those “brave members who jumped into the lake during the January Freeze for the Cure Benefit”;

2. “The importance of protecting the watershed and its ecosystem” and the “preservation of endangered species such as bald eagles, butterflies, and pollinators”;

3. The CEA designation would be highlighted in promoting the area to visitors, and would mark White Lake’s leadership as the first CEA in Sullivan County.

Mr. Sturm mentioned that attaining CEA designation is tied in with the rewriting  of the Comprehensive Plan, and said, “There is a desire by some to not wait for the Comp. Plan to be completed” to act on the CEA request…the Town does have the ability to lead this effort on a more expedited timeline, which must include a public process for residents to weigh in.” 

One of the steps is a formal reply from the Sustainable Bethel Committee, which is due in May. There will be an Open House Public Forum, for residents to discuss prominent issues, on June 2, Noon - 3 p.m. at the Duggan School.