Attorney Ben Wisniewski reminded board members the architecture, engineering and planning firm of LaBella Associates had many concerns, particularly about the decommissioning process.

Clean Choice subsequently sold the project to Nexamp Community Solar, who is more than doubling the decommissioning guarantees, according to Wisniewski. “Nexamp’s decommissioning plan addresses all of Labella’s concerns,” he said.

Regarding the South Ripley Solar Project, Wisniewski said there has been some progress regarding an agreement between ConnectGen and the fire district. He also said a workshop was necessary for the town board to review the road use agreement.

Town Supervisor Doug Bowen set the date for a road use agreement workshop for Thurday, Aug. 31. “We need a representative from the highway department there,” said Wisniewski.

In other business, Bowen told board members that a community member said they would be interested in helping with the construction of a dog park in Ripley. He said a steering committee would be formed to look into this.

Bowen asked if anyone would be willing to help with this. “I’ve seen this work in other towns,” he said. “If you’re interested, let someone in the Town Clerk’s office know.”

Bowen also told board members that in a recent meeting with Tom Becker of Rural Development, there was discussion of a grant for road repairs. The grant was developed to repair damage that was a direct result of the November 2022 snowstorm, he said.

Bowen suggested the highway department review equipment replacement that qualifies as road repair which was necessary after the storm.

In another matter, Bowen mentioned the grant the town received to upgrade the sewer plant. He noted when the first bids were received, they were too high, so the town scaled back the project.

Since there was money left, Bowen requested and received the approval of a $189,000 change order for the sewer plant. “All of the information was sent out by e-mail for board members to review,” he said. “We plan to construct a building over the UV treatment facility and replace one of the scum boxes.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, a Ripley resident Forsythe Road addressed the board about water service at her home. She said she has been waiting for months to be hooked up for water service.

She told board members that she does not feel she is being treated properly. “I’d appreciate some respect from the board,” she said. ‘I have not done anything except trying to get water.’

She went on to say that the problem has become extreme. “I watched everyone else get water. We are out of water at our house, and nobody cares,” she said. “I’ve been told the problem is the ditch in front of my house.”

Bowen later explained that the ditch in front of Scriven’s house is extra wide and the highway right of way runs through the middle of it. Therefore, the work cannot be done until a temporary easement is obtained.

Bowen went on to say that a contractor needs to assess the amount of area on the property that it will take for the work to be done. He noted that this is a unique situation, and the town has not been “dragging their feet.”