BOE discusses Milan landfill solar project

PINE PLAINS— The  Pine Plains Board of Education (BOE) continued its conversation about whether to get involved with the town of Milan’s capped landfill solar project on Wednesday, Nov. 14

The meeting was held in the Cold Spring Early Learning Center cafeteria after the BOE’s annual tour of the school building.

Superintendent of Schools Martin Handler refreshed the board’s memory regarding the project by explaining that Milan approached the BOE about its intent to mark the landfill property off South Road to solar developers. Because the land itself is exempt from taxes, the town anticipated having the solar panels exempt from taxes as well, and since the configuration for the solar panels won’t be permanently affixed, the town felt the panels shouldn’t be subject to taxes.

Because Milan and Pine Plains residents pay taxes to the school district, Milan town Supervisor William Gallagher said the town wanted to make sure residents won’t be charged a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT). Therefore, the main question for the BOE was whether it wanted to insist on a PILOT on the solar panels. Handler explained at the BOE meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 17, that if the BOE decides to waive the payment, it would be easier for the town to mark the project for future developers.

At Thursday’s meeting, Handler said the county signed off with the town to indicate that it won’t seek revenues.

“It’s basically the board’s decision as to whether or not to waive these PILOTs,” he said.

BOE President Fred “Chip” Couse said he’d like the BOE to codify some criteria for the project. While he expressed an interest in helping the town of Milan, he was concerned it would become a slippery slope, since the BOE isn’t prepared to waive school taxes on other private properties with projects that could benefit the town.

Turning over a copy of a policy statement he drafted to the Policy Committee, Couse suggested the BOE try to codify the project into some sort of policy and try to develop a guideline it could reference going forward.

BOE member Anne Arent agreed that it would be a wise decision to develop a policy not just for the current board, but also for future boards.

“Whether it’s a formal policy or not, it just has to be consistently applied and be able to be consistently applied,” said BOE member Joseph Kiernan.

Before turning to the next item on its agenda, the BOE confirmed its support for the town of Milan’s request. 

“We’re all for helping any of the nine towns that make up the school district with any projects,” Couse said on a later date. “What we don’t want to do is end up taking tax producing property and give them some sort of a relief. We will be very cooperative with the town of Milan.”

Couse said either he or Handler will give Gallagher notice of the BOE’s support for the solar project.