Town Board of New Castle Work Session & Meeting 9/22/26

The Town Board of New Castle held a work session and meeting on September 22, 2026, focusing primarily on updates to the town's solar law legislation. The board discussed proposed amendments to the existing solar law, including reducing the maximum height of solar collection systems, adding noise analysis requirements, specifying tree removal and replacement protocols, and incorporating fire safety measures for large-scale solar systems. The board agreed to refer the draft legislation to the planning board, conservation board, sustainability advisory board, and county planning for review. Additionally, administrative items included approval of a $140,600 street opening permit bond release related to work along Route 120, final payment authorization for a parking lot and drainage improvement project under budget by $38,887, and approval of sludge removal services costing $41,820. The board also authorized the purchase of enhanced monitoring services for the Millwood water treatment plant's SCADA system to comply with FBI regulations. Several personnel appointments and resignations within the Department of Public Works and recreation department were approved. The meeting concluded with updates on ongoing capital projects and community events.