Town Board of New Castle Work Session & Meeting 5/12/26

The Town Board of New Castle held a work session and meeting on May 12, 2026, focusing primarily on two key legislative topics: battery energy storage systems (BESS) and multifamily residential zoning (MFRC). The board discussed the ongoing moratorium on large-scale BESS installations due to safety and environmental concerns, including fire risks and toxic emissions. After extensive public input and expert testimony, the board expressed support for passing legislation to prohibit large-scale tier 2 and 3 BESS in residential areas while allowing smaller tier 1 systems, with plans to continue monitoring technological developments through a climate smart task force. Additionally, the board reviewed proposed amendments to the MFRC overlay zone in the downtown area to resolve inconsistencies and encourage limited residential development with incentives for green building practices. Public hearings were held on a specific development project at 50 North Gley Avenue, with concerns raised about stormwater runoff, school capacity impacts, and environmental preservation. The board also approved several personnel actions, including hiring and resignations, and voted to revise the town's ethics code to remove overly restrictive political activity provisions for town officers and employees. Motions to approve payments totaling over $870,000 were passed as part of the consent agenda.