The Walworth Town Board approved a decommissioning agreement for a large solar project, joined Wayne County’s updated hazard mitigation planning effort and opened discussion on a new tax exemption for disabled veterans during its Sept. 17 meeting.
The most detailed discussion centered on the Norbut Solar Farms project on Kuttroff Road. The board approved the solar decommissioning agreement on a 4-1 vote after questioning how the town would be protected if the project were abandoned or its owners were no longer able to remove the equipment.
A company representative told the board the project has changed since its original approval. Plans for battery storage were eliminated after changes in federal tax policy and state incentives made that portion of the development financially impractical, and roughly 10% of the project’s solar panels were also removed.
Those changes lowered the town engineer’s estimated cost to decommission the project to about $177,394. Norbut Solar Farms nevertheless agreed to maintain the higher $193,824 decommissioning amount established for the original, larger project.
The money is intended to protect the town if it eventually has to remove the solar equipment itself. Board members questioned what would happen if actual removal costs exceed the bond decades from now.
The company representative said the financial security increases 3% annually. Under the agreement discussed by the board, the project owner remains responsible for costs exceeding the bond, followed by the landowner if necessary. The agreement also provides a mechanism for additional costs to be added to the property tax roll if the town is ultimately forced to complete the work.
Construction on the solar project is still in its early stages. The company said an access road and grading work have been completed, with additional construction expected to move ahead after permits are secured.
The board also approved budget modifications after a brief discussion about expenses that came in differently than expected during 2026.
Members noted the adjustments represented a combination of unforeseen expenses and items that had been underbudgeted, including taxes and assessments. The discussion quickly turned toward the upcoming 2027 budget process, with members saying the town should use this year’s experience to improve estimates for the next spending plan.
Another resolution authorized Supervisor Laura Elsbree to sign a letter committing Walworth to participate in the Wayne County Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan update.
Town officials said participation is necessary for Walworth to remain eligible for certain federal disaster mitigation funding. The board approved the measure unanimously.
Disabled veteran exemption prompts debate
Elsbree also asked the board to begin considering a newly available property tax exemption for qualifying disabled veterans.
Under New York’s law, local governments may opt to provide a full exemption on the primary residence of qualifying veterans with a 100% service-connected disability or qualifying individual-unemployability determination. The exemption can extend to special district charges, assessments and special ad valorem levies.
No action was taken Thursday.
Town officials estimated that, based on current properties, adopting the exemption would shift roughly $18,279 in taxes to other property owners. Elsbree estimated the current effect at roughly $4.50 to $5 per household.
The discussion exposed competing concerns among board members: providing greater relief to veterans who suffered severe service-connected disabilities while also considering the effect of shifting those costs onto other taxpayers.
Elsbree said she wanted residents to have time to weigh in before the town decides whether to move forward. A public hearing would be required before adoption.
During public comment, resident Phil Williamson also submitted materials challenging the town’s handling of a planning and building matter involving a sign at One Country Club Drive. Williamson asked officials to review the documentation and argued that the permit process should be revisited.
The board later entered executive session to discuss proposed, pending or current litigation.
Budget work begins tonight
The Sept. 17 meeting also served as a lead-in to several nights of budget work.
Walworth has scheduled special Town Board meetings for tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday at 6:30 p.m., and officials emphasized that the sessions are open to the public.
Tonight’s special meeting will begin with the town clerk presenting the tentative budget before the board moves into its budget work session.
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