The Main Street Gazebo Park in Ripley spreads a little Christmas cheer to all traveling through the town. Photo by David Prenatt

RIPLEY — At their meeting earlier this month, Ripley Town Board members voted to reject all bids for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and to advertise for and accept new bids until Jan. 6.

Bids were previously sought for improvements at the Ripley Wastewater Treatment Plant and were received by Sept. 30. Three bids were received and all were substantially over the amount committed to the project from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Therefore, no bid was awarded.

Town Supervisor Doug Bowen told council members that an alternative approach was needed in order keep the project within the funding limits.

“The town’s engineers have revised the project scope to bring the expected costs of the project to stay within the limits of the funding award of NYSEFC,” he said.

Board members approved the revised plan and authorized solicitation for new bids, which will be due in the town clerk’s office by 11 a.m. on Jan. 6.

Bowen told council members that, with the revisions, the project will involve the conversion of a portion of the chlorine contact tank to an ultraviolet disinfection system. This will include all electrical work for the UV system, along with associated piping connections, structure repairs, site work and restoration, and start-up on new equipment.

The new system is to be functional by June 7, 2022, in order to comply with the NYSDEC consent order requirement, Bowen said.

In other business, board members approved a resolution for offering health insurance options for the town clerk.

“For many years, the town clerk has accepted the annual insurance buyout from the town, rather than require the town to spend thousands of additional dollars for her health insurance,” Bowen said. “She has requested confirmation from the board regarding her insurance options as she contemplates her potential retirement.”

Bowen noted that the board has previously set forth options for prior town officers and employees to aid in their retirement planning.

“The town clerk has served in her office for nearly 30 years,” he said. “She is entitled to the status afforded those who were in service to the town prior to Aug. 22, 1996.”

Bowen also reviewed American Rescue Plan Act funding expenditures with board members, who approved several related resolutions: The town will spend revenue loss ARPA funds to compensate eligible workers in recognition of increased risk faced during COVID 19, for a total amount of $22,987; the town will spend ARPA funds for equipment and installation of the Orthophosphate injection system at the water plant, not to exceed $25,000; and the town will spend ARPA funds to replace and upgrade water meters and the monitoring system at the plant, not to exceed $50,000.

In another matter, board members approved a resolution designating itself as lead agency for the State Environmental Quality Review for CleanChoice Energy and to begin a coordinated SEQRA review.

Bowen, along with attorney Ben Wisniewski, reminded board members and members of the public that several months ago, Clean Choice Solar Energy submitted a site plan application for a community solar garden to be located on Route 76 in the town of Ripley.

Ripley subsequently provided a deficiency notice to CleanChoice, stating that the application was incomplete.

At their Nov. 9 meeting, Wisniewski told board members the application did not include the required one percent deposit, a fact which would be noted in the deficiency notice.

“There are a host of more technical issues,” Wisniewski said, “but they should be easily remedied.”

CleanChoice responded to the deficiency notice on November 9, with additional application materials, as well as the required escrow agreement and deposit, Bowen said. On December 8, the application was deemed complete by the Zoning Officer of the Town of Ripley, so the next step is the SEQR, he said.

“The Town Board will review any relevant submissions and comments related to the Clean Choice Special Use Permit and Site Plan Application in order to make a determination of environrnental significance under SEQRA at a public hearing, at a time to be determined,” Bowen said.

A resolution was also passed authorizing the referral of the CleanChoice application to the Chautauqua County and the Town of Ripley Planning Boards.

Bowen said The CleanChoice Energy Special Use Permit application has been submitted in full so the review process can official begin.

In a related matter, the town is still waiting for ConnectGen to respond to the deficiency statement ConnectGen received from the State for the South Ripley Solar Project application.