Laketown Township scraps plans for solar power project - HollandSentinel.com

Laketown Township scraps plans for solar power project
Evan Sasiela

LAKETOWN TWP. — Laketown Township is scrapping a proposal to add a solar panel array at Township Hall.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees agreed Wednesday, April 5, to end discussion and take no action on a proposed solar power project, according to a press release.

More: Laketown Township delays discussion of solar project until April

The proposal was to install 48 solar panels adjacent to Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road. The cost would've been more than $53,000 after tax rebates and the panels would’ve powered the township offices.

Laketown Township Manager Al Meshkin in January proposed a 21.6-kilowatt system by Harvest Solar of Jackson. The system would've paid for itself in roughly 13 years, Meshkin said.

Residents have spoken against the project over the past two months. Concerns included the return-on-investment timeline, how panels would affect property values and changing the feel of the multi-use path along Beeline Road.

Meshkin shifted the location of the proposed array to be less visible to path users. He also received more bids, upon request from the township board.

Trustee Jim Delaney said at Wednesday’s workshop the proposal “doesn’t make sense.” He said the array doesn’t fit the surrounding amenities, including a baseball field, pickleball court and gazebo. Clerk Amber Davis agreed with Delaney and said homeowners across the street from Township Hall opposed the project.

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Solar power isn't new to Laketown Township. A 100-kilowatt system was installed in 2015 at Felt Estate to take advantage of tax credits available at the time. Meshkin said there have been few problems with that system.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.