By Maureen Werther

A solar energy project at the former landfill on Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

The solar energy park is part of NYSERDA’s Cleaner Greener Communities program. It was presented to the City Council in 2012 by Sustainable Saratoga and approved by the council in 2014.

The park is supported by a $1.46 million NY-Sun grant the city received in 2013 through NYSERDA. It suffered a series of setbacks, stemming in large part from the bankruptcy of the original vendor, Sun Edison. Following that, Onyx Renewables, headquartered in New York City, stepped in to design, engineer and build a two-megawatt solar array on the landfill.

According to Brian DeMaio, project manager for Onyx Renewable Partners, the solar array will be comprised of approximately 8,000 solar panels atop the former landfill, spanning 43 acres.

Michele Madigan, city Commissioner of Finance, spearheaded the project and said that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for some time in the coming weeks.

The city signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) committing it to purchasing all the electricity generated from the park at a fixed price over a 20-year period, according to documents from Sustainable Saratoga.

The solar park is the first phase of a large initiative to develop greener, sustainable energy projects around the city, which will benefit consumers and the city itself, as well as being environmentally responsible, said Madigan.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has developed a Solar PILOT Toolkit to assist the state’s municipalities in understanding and negotiating payment-in-lieu-of taxes (PILOT) agreements for solar projects larger than 1mw, including community solar projects.

Based on feedback from local government officials and solar industry representatives, NYSERDA developed the toolkit in response to the need for greater information on PILOT agreements as solar projects develop throughout the state, officials said.

The Solar PILOT Toolkit provides a framework for local taxing jurisdictions to negotiate payment agreements with solar developers. In addition to their clean energy and job-creation benefits, solar developments can yield significant financial value to municipalities through PILOT agreement payments, according to NYSERDA.

The toolkit addresses the lack of information on property tax issues around solar development and is designed to enable municipalities to work with developers to negotiate PILOT rates that benefit the community and make the projects financially attractive to developers and their customers.

“The Solar PILOT Toolkit will serve as a vital resource to help municipalities encourage the development of community solar projects and make sure they benefit the entire community,” Alicia Barton, president and CEO, NYSERDA said. “Large-scale solar projects provide a great opportunity for communities across the state to take advantage of clean, renewable energy while advancing Gov. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy.”

New York state is undertaking significant changes in the way it generates and delivers electricity. As one example, community solar projects allow electric customers who are not able to install solar panels on their properties to own or subscribe to a portion of a community solar project, and benefit from the cost savings of clean generation.

Michael and Margaret Roohan, owners of Granite & Marble Works in Wilton, have donated to Skidmore a land tract of 189 acres in Greenfield.

The land is adjacent to land tracts of 200 acres donated by the couple in 2010, and nearly 120 neighboring acres donated in 2014. All parcels are undeveloped woodland in Greenfield, located near Skidmore College’s North Woods property that lies behind the College’s Van Lennep Riding Center.

“We feel strongly about supporting Skidmore College. Its people and programs add so much to the quality of life in Saratoga Springs, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to give back to the college,” said Michael Roohan.

The Roohans said they feel Skidmore’s creative, multidisciplinary approach to using this land for teaching, research, and recreation assures the most valuable use for the greatest number of participants and assures the education of future generations in the care of natural surroundings.

The 2017 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee announced its line-up of 14 builders participating in the annual new home tour event.

Celebrating 22 years of exceptional homes, the event will take place on the weekends of Sept. 16-17, Sept. 23-24 and Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

The final lineup of builders in this year’s event are:  Abele Builders, Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, Bonacio Construction, Herbinger Homes, Heritage Custom Builders, La Femme Home Builders, Marini Homes, McPadden Builders, Pigliavento Builders, R.J. Taylor Builders, Saratoga Builders, Whitbeck Construction and Witt Construction.

There will be a total of 18 new home locations on display in Saratoga County. Tickets to visit all these home are $20.

Early-bird tickets are available online and anyone purchasing tickets by Sept. 1 will automatically be entered in a special drawing for a one-night stay at the Saratoga Casino Hotel, dinner for two at Morton’s Steakhouse ($200 gift certificate) and $100 spending cash.

by Liz Witbeck

Those who want to move to Clifton Park could soon have more housing opportunities to choose from.

Atrium Properties is currently designing  new housing, the Clifton Park Center Road apartments, located on its namesake street.

The project consists of four buildings total, containing 39 units, the company said. Condominiums vary between one, two and three bedrooms. It will be on a four-acre parcel of land on Clifton Park Center Road.

The housing will be adjacent to the YMCA and Hannaford Plaza and within walking distance to the Clifton Park Center.

Murray Law Firm, based in Clifton Park, is helping with the design of the property. The firm specializes in real estate transactions, land use, and general business law. The firm consists of Peter Murray and Jacqueline Phillips Murray.

Phillips Murray said Clifton Park Center Road Apartments will help build a residential area that Clifton Park needs.

“There was a town center plan that was adopted four years ago to promote mixed-use properties and make a true town center for Clifton Park,” she said.

It is a true suburban town, without much of a town center, said Phillips Murray. It is her hope that the new constructions within the town will create a new downtown culture.

By Maureen Werther

Maxwell Property Management has donated $5,000 to Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) and Code Blue.

Maxwell Herrick, owner of Maxwell Property Management, and his office administrator, Cherrie Van Derburg, decided to do something to give back to the community as part of Maxwell’s year-long 25th anniversary celebration.

The previous fall, they committed to donating 10 percent of all new broker’s commissions.

The company provides consulting services and works with owners and their attorneys to convert properties into valuable investments for clients. Maxwell Property also manages multi-unit properties and turns “distressed” units into attractive rentals. They average about 300 leases per year.

“We act as the firewall between the landlord and the tenant,” said Herrick, adding that he represents landlord’s interests and manages properties “the way I would my own.”

“We’re all about housing. What better way to show our support of the community than to give back to an organization like SOS? This is our clear support of the Code Blue project and its future,” he said.

Herrick said the money will go directly to help the Code Blue program, which provides shelter to the homeless when temperatures drop to freezing.