Dundee pulls out of solar project

DUNDEE—The Dundee village board voted to pull out of a solar energy project during their board meeting Tuesday, May 28 after learning about significant changes to the project contract. The board came to this decision after a conference call with David Culeton of Larsen Engineers, who had outlined the changes to the contract which had an additional $200,000 buyout after 20 years of the 30-year contract, as well as a higher rate during the first four years.
The total project cost for the solar panel installation, which was initially going to be built at Dundee-Glenora Road next to the wastewater treatment plant, was $4,625,320 across all four participating municipalities, including Dundee, Perry, Scottsville and Medina. However, Culeton said Perry was unable to get approval for the project due to site issues, while Scottsville deemed it “economically unfeasible.” He said because of this, it caused the contract Dundee would be under to change to where the village would be paying more than the grid rate during the first four years, as well as a $200,000 buyout for the village from years 21 to 30 of the project.
“This is considerably different from what the original contract is,” Mayor Fred Cratsley Jr. said. He said he was “not keen” on the estimated $200,000 price range from years 21 to 30, and he is not sure he is willing to put the village in a 30-year contract for a $150,000 savings during that time. The initial deal had the village purchasing the facility for $1 after 30 years while paying a lower rate to Jordan Energy during that time. Culeton said the board had until the end of the week to come to a decision on signing the new contract.
“That doesn’t sound like a good deal to me,” Trustee Greg Wright said. Trustee Warren Smith agreed, saying “after that time it might just be worn out.” Cratsley said while the village would be saving on the kilowatt price after the first four years, there is no way to know what the price will be in 10 years.
In other business:
• Leroy Shirk was approved in his appointment to the Dundee Fire Department.
• The Show and Go Car Show was approved for Wednesday, June 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. The board approved the closure of Seneca Street for the event.
• Wood carpet was purchased for the playground at a cost of $2,394.
• The board approved the purchase of two new computers for the village clerks at a cost of $1,798.
• Two gas meters were purchased for the fire department at a cost of $1,090. Fire Chief David Bambey said they will be able to calibrate these meters themselves and not have to pay to send them out.