CLOVERDALE — At its monthly town council meeting, the Cloverdale Town Council had a packed audience. There was a good reason for the attendance as everyone’s favorite topic, the ongoing solar farm debate with EnergyRe, was discussed.
The reason it was put on the agenda is Council President Brandon Tancak, along with many other members of the council had been hearing countless rumors over the last several months. Tancak began by reading a statement on behalf of the council addressing the rumors.
“Whether you live within the town of Cloverdale or somewhere in Putnam County or even somewhere in the surrounding counties, thank you for being here,” Tancak began. “Over an extended period of time, this council has heard privately from individuals and companies who are in favor of and against the solar farm. This council has listened to our county elected officials and volunteers, discussed this in person, online and in some instances voting on the matter that has consumed a lot of time, resources and money from both sides.
“I can assure you that each council member from the town of Cloverdale has done their homework to understand what a project of this magnitude would mean for our community. All the pros, all the cons. EnergyRe and the family-owned business that seek to turn farmland into a solar farm, have heard from almost everyone in the county and beyond. Some will argue that a homeowner shouldn’t need approval to put solar panels on their own property. Some will argue that it will drive down their property values.
“At the end of the day I want to be very clear on what I’m about to say next; the rumors about what we are faced with this project are getting out of control, to the point where we thought it would be in our best interest to address this matter even though not once have we been asked about it in a public meeting. Instead we asked about it at our homes, businesses and even places of employment. The town of Cloverdale does not have an economic development agreement with EnergyRe for this project. The town of Cloverdale is not working with anyone on annexation of the proposed land. Those are the facts.
“The town of Cloverdale has absolutely nothing to do with the proposed project,” Tancak continued. “Over the past several years we’ve been financially responsible in positioning the town for growth. Staying stalemate isn’t an option, we need growth. Housing, commercial and industrial opportunities are some examples. We welcome developers and investors. The town of Cloverdale is poised for great success now and in the future. I’d like to remind everyone that regardless of what your stance on this project is, using social media to attack someone’s business because of their belief on this project is uncalled for and is not who we are. We all have the same rights and we must remember that it’s OK to agree to disagree but do it with dignity, not personal attacks on someone because of their beliefs.”
The conversation then proceeded to have members of the audience come up to the podium and ask questions or share their thoughts and opinions with the council. A pair of audience members in Doug Yates and Scott Blair both gave their concerns.
“First I want to thank you for that statement,” Yates said. “I do realize that there is a need for growth here in the county but now is just not the time for solar to be impacting our county. There might be a time down the road where it is ready, but now is not that time.”
Blair, who stated that he and his family had recently moved from Indianapolis around eight months ago, raised a concern about if the solar farm does go through and is put in, how well would it get maintained to make sure its operating at its highest efficiency and capacity.
“We’ve seen it in Indianapolis and let’s just be honest it’s not well maintained at all,” Blair said. “Our concern is the upkeep. We all know that these things are unsightly and I want to make sure as a community we reiterate that if they come in, they be taken care of and not become an eyesore.”
Tancak did thank those for their concerns and questions. Rounding out the conversation, Tancak let those in attendance know that “like any other business that comes in wanting to work with the town” that the council has met with Paul Cummings and EnergyRe for purely informational meetings. Lastly he also addressed one rumor that the town would receive a $10 million stipend bonus if the solar farm were to come to Cloverdale.
“It’s rumors like that, why I feel like we had to make this statement tonight,” he said. “Those couldn’t be further from the truth.”
As it currently stands, EnergyRe is scheduled to come back before the Putnam County Plan Commission in March with a roughly 1,000-acre plan which is half of its original 2,000-acre plan that was denied 2-1 by the Putnam County Commissioners back in early October.
There will be another story regarding what else took place at the Cloverdale Town Council meeting.
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