At a recent meeting, Arkwright Supervisor Brian McAvoy discussed the possibility of a battery energy storage system local law being drafted for the town in the coming months. P-J Photo by Braden Carmen

ARKWRIGHT — The town of Arkwright took a proactive approach to governing solar energy systems in the town when it passed a local law in 2024 to regulate such properties. The Town Board is looking to do the same regarding battery energy storage systems.

The Board will look into battery energy storage system (BESS) local laws of nearby municipalities and consult with Town Attorney Joe Calimeri to draft a local law that suits the town of Arkwright. There has been no proposal for a BESS project in the town, but the Board wants to have a law drafted to regulate such projects if one were to be proposed.

The Town Board originally proposed a solar energy system local law in 2023, which was later passed in 2024. At the time it was proposed, no project had been proposed, but inquiries were made shortly after the law was proposed.

The Board plans to discuss the matter further at a later meeting. A local law would first need to be drafted and presented at a meeting, then a public hearing would be scheduled for a later date before the law could be adopted.

The Board will also review the building code law for the town at a later date. A resolution was also passed to adopt an ethics policy for the town’s employees and elected officials. The policy, which is required by law, details reporting procedures for matters of concern.

The Board also heard a presentation from Lauren Sharp on behalf of the Chautauqua County Planning Board regarding agricultural districts. An official map and information was provided to the Board, and agricultural district applications for residents are available online.

In the month of May, the Town Clerk’s Office collected $157 in revenue, of which $127.50 went to the Town and the rest to the State. Three dog licenses were issued, along with four building permits, one marriage license with the authorization of an officiant, and a copy of a marriage license. Including work at the Town Hall, six building permits in total were issued in May, bringing the total number for the year to 11.

The Town Justice Court received two vehicle and traffic law cases in April, with two disposed of, for a total of $110 in revenue. In May, the Court received nine vehicle and traffic law cases and disposed of 12, along with one penal law case received for a total of $2,000 in revenue.

The Town of Arkwright Celebration of the 250th birthday of America will be held on Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a tire amnesty of up to 10 tires per property in the town. A voucher for a free dog license will be available to residents, as well.

The next Arkwright Town Board meeting will be on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m.