Bell Township reviews new solar ordinance

BELL TWP. — The Bell Township supervisors discussed the new solar ordinance at their monthly meeting.

Doug Horne, supervisors chair, said that they can’t change the old one but they can make a new one.

“This new ordinance requires an up-front payment with complete decommissioning and dismantling costs in advance of construction of any solar or wind turbine facility system placed in Bell Township as decided by the contractor and the engineer,” Horne said. “Any further application they receive and it’s another 60 days they can put this in.”

Bracy Catanzarito, township secretary, said if it’s approved it’s five days.

Horne said that the contractor who is chosen by the township sets the price.

“A contractor can come in and see how long it would take to tear it down and put it up and what that would cost,”  Horne said. “Right now, the price would be $350,000 or the production price.”

Horne said that this project was dropped on them, and the board can’t say yay or nay on this project.

This ordinance will require separate and independent approvals from each township or borough where facilities are requesting to be located, and when the location crosses into another township or borough’s area of authority.

This new ordinance does not make changes to any existing residential solar panels currently in place.