Council Joins BOE in Solar Feasibility Evaluation

Following the Board of Education’s lead, the Common Council unanimously approved a resolution that allows the evaluation of city and board of education buildings for solar system installation suitability.

The city and the Board of Ed are sharing the costs of evaluation. Under terms of the Inter-local Agreement, as it is known, the city will allocate $4,500 for the evaluation, while the Board of Education will provide $52,900.

The evaluation will include a determination on the suitability of buildings to the installation of solar panels, which can reduce the electrical consumption costs at a location by 30% or more.

For any building to be considered suitable, it must be fairly free of tree cover and preferably feature a large roof area facing southward. Roof condition is another key consideration panel installations require that a mounting system is installed.

If a solar installation project is approved, the city could spend up to $43,500 for installation of solar panels. According to Department of Community Services Director Beth Kinney, the city’s buildings on the list to be evaluated are the Acquatic Center, the Vito Gallo Senior Housing Building, the department of public works pumping station and some city garages.

The school district would see Lawton C. Johnson Middle School, Summit High School, Lincoln Hubbard, Washington, Brayton, Franklin, Jefferson schools evaluated and spend up to $225,900 for the installation.

Earlier this month, the Board of Education gave their blessing to the agreement  and was waiting for its approval by the Common Council, which was required to proceed.

Although she did not offer definitive numbers, Kinney said that “the library would likely see the greatest impact (reduction) in its electric bill. And as you are aware, the pool can be expensive to operate.”

Although he ultimately supported the evaluation, council member Tom Getzendanner questioned the economic viability of installing solar panels at a time a time when Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECS), which are credits from the utility company for creating renewable energy, have declined in value.

“The economics in the market have really changed here,” Getzendanner said. “ The value of the SCREC that used to be $600 a unit (per 1,000 watts of power) is now $200 a unit” because there are many new solar installations, meaning more solar renewable energy is available and the value of the certificates drops.

Although the resolution’s passing only addresses the evaluation, some, such as councilman Richard Madden, area worried about the installation costs.

“There has been no capital budget provision for these numbers,” Madden  said. “And no operating study of the savings we can expect. Before I continue to vote I’d like to se that. We are sensitive to spending taxpayer dollars.” 

Did He Vote or Didn't He?

Democratic mayoral candidate Eileen Forman Ludden questioned councilman Getzendanner’s voting participation in a September 7 meeting to allocate monies to recover payroll collected by Ameripay.

Ludden beleived that Getzendanner voted.

"Mr. Getzendanner voted on "amend professional services agreement (with Ameripay) in excess of $17,500," Ludden told the Patch after the council meeting.

Late last year, Getzendanner was the subject about a probe on whether he suggested that City Solitictor Barry Osmun change the dates on the lawyer's bills in order to obtain additional reimbursement for the City of Summit from the Joint Insurance Fund.

Osmun said at the time that the city is reimbursed 75 percent of its legal fees in its lawsuit against the city's former auditor in relation to the Ameripay fraud.  

On Tuesday night, Osmun said he did remember discussion but could not recall whether Getzendanner voted on the issue.

Council President Dave Bomgaars could not recall either. He suggested that the solicitor research the minutes to reveal the truth.