RIPLEY — Members of the Ripley Town Board approved two resolutions relating to the draft solar zoning law at their regular meeting this month.

The first resolution was a negative declaration of environmental significance under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

Town Supervisor Doug Bowen reviewed the steps the town has taken since May 13 when the town introduced the solar law, The town board referred the solar law to the Chautauqua County Planning Board for review and comments. After that, the town completed a full environmental assessment and then the board accepted comments from the public then held a public hearing on Aug. 12.

Town board members conducted two meeting/work session with attorney Benjamin Wisniewski to review the feedback from the Aug. 12 public hearing on the draft solar zoning law. The first special meeting/workshop was held on Aug. 26, and the second on Aug. 31.

The second resolution was to adopt the proposed solar law and to direct town clerk Rebecca Carvallo to file it with the Secretary of State in Albany. “A lot of work went into the law by a lot of people,” Bowen said. “It’s a law we can all live with.”

Following the board’s approval of the two resolutions, Wisniewski, who joined the meeting via ZOOM, told the board that there is a proposal from LaBella Associates for the 94C proceedings for the solar project. He recommended that the board accept the proposal, noting that “They’ve done a great job.”

Wisniewski also told the board that there is a request for $213,000 from the state of New York. He said that about $88,000 would go to LaBella and $125,000 would cover legal fees. “This could be decided in about one month from now,” he said.

In other business, the board approved the hiring of Gloria McCormick as the town’s dog control officer. Board member Paul Chimera suggested that she be hired for a probationary period and the motion was made and passed to have a one year probation for her.

In another personnel matter, Bowen told the board that a two-week notice has been received from one of the highway employees. “We need to post for the position,” Bowen said. “The applications need to be in by October 15, and Jim (Spacht) will interview the applicants.”

Bowen also suggested the board consider having a brush collection day. The motion was made and approved to set brush collection for the second Saturday in May, beginning in 2022. This is the same day as the large trash collection day and will take place from 8 am until noon, Bowen noted.

Deputy Supervisor Mike Rowe and Carvallo raised the issue of leaf collection. “We have a lot of early leaves falling this year, especially from the maples,” Rowe said. “We may need an early leaf collection.” “It seems like leaves have been dropping since July,” Carvallo added.

The board decided to start leaf collection on the first Monday in October, probably one day a week at the start. They also set the fall large trash day for Saturday, Oct. 2.

Carvallo also reported to the board that a supply of “wooden nickles” that were made to celebrate past events in Ripley are available for sale. She passed around a collection of five of them in a sleeve and asked the board to set a price. The board decided on $1 for one commemorative “wooden nickle” or $5 for a pack of five.

The board decided to move their October meeting to Tuesday, Nov. 9.

During public comment, questions were raised about the approval of the South Ripley Solar Project. Bowen reaponded: “What we approved here tonight was the zoning law, not the project — there’s a big difference.”