Get local news, sports and community coverage delivered free to your inbox.
Free local coverage from communities across Ohio.
Select Local News, Sports, or both for any community.
The $1.2 million project could cut annual electricity costs by about $80,000, with a public hearing set for Nov. 4
The Strasburg-Franklin Local School District is hoping to erect a 948-panel solar array south of its school building as a way to reduce its utility costs.
Jeff Borton of Vista Consulting Group of Lebanon, Ohio, provided details of the plan at a meeting of the Strasburg Planning Commission Oct. 13.
The solar array would be paid for with a 10-year, $1.2-million state loan. Interest on the loan is 2%.
Borton said when he met with school officials, “They basically said they were looking for creative opportunities to reduce expenses without affecting student performance results. That made sense to me. Is there any way that we can do things to help our budget but not drop a program, not cut a math class, not cut a teacher?”
Currently, Strasburg pays AEP about $135,000 a year for electricity. Borton said the solar array would reduce that amount to about $54,600 a year. During the 10 years of the loan, he said his company would guarantee those savings.
Over the 25 years of the project, Strasburg is projected to save about $1.5 million.
Strasburg, like other school districts around Ohio, is struggling financially because of low state aid, he said. Currently, the district has a $5 million reserve. According to the latest five-year financial forecast for the district, the reserve will drop to $93,000 by 2030.
The solar array would be 245 feet wide and 275 feet long, enclosed by a 6-foot privacy fence.
Any excess power generated by the solar array would go to AEP, resulting in a utility credit for the district, he said.
The district looked at a second location north of the school but rejected it because of the cost involved, Borton said. It would cost about $250,000 more than the south location, with the additional money coming from Strasburg’s general fund.
During the presentation, he also addressed questions that residents might have about the project.
The solar array is designed to shut down immediately if something goes wrong, he said. In addition, the panels will not leach into the ground from rainwater. Glare from the panels also will not pose a major problem. Windows, ponds and pools and snow create more glare.
Borton said the array will not create a great deal of noise. An outdoor residential air conditioner unit creates about the same amount of noise. He also said that the array will not pose a threat to cellphones because of the electromagnetic field it generates. A toaster oven and a hair dryer create more of an electromagnetic field, he said.
He said he hopes that work on the solar array could begin in March 2027 and be finished by that August or September.
If the project is completed by the end of 2027, Strasburg would be eligible for a $330,000 rebate from the federal government, Borton said.
Before work can begin, the project needs approval from the planning commission because Strasburg has an ordinance regulating solar energy, which was enacted Sept. 1. The commission has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Nov. 4 to hear comments from the public. Then the panel must meet to decide whether to recommend that the village council approve the project.
Residents near New Cumberland say truck speeding, noise and heavy traffic tied to EOG drilling have disrupted life along Cutler Road
Key Oct. 16 clashes in IVC, OCC
The $1.2 million project could cut annual electricity costs by about $80,000, with a public hearing set for Nov. 4
The scholarship competition begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Claymont High School in Tuscarawas County
Staff purchased and processed a Claymont senior’s fair hog for the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry, with remaining funds supporting TUFF Bags
Funding will expand civil legal services for people affected by opioid use disorder in Holmes, Carroll and Tuscarawas counties
Players can attend the Nov. 7 camp at Conotton Valley High School in Bowerston for $75
City Council approved rules barring electric bicycles from sidewalks and parks, with violations carrying minor misdemeanor charges
Republican Central Committee applications are due Oct. 22 following Michele Campbell’s resignation
ODOT closed the bridge over U.S. 250 after inspectors found significant cracking in a beam damaged by a heavy-equipment vehicle
Board cites a more than $2 million annual special education funding shortfall in the district
Honoring the top area high school football performances from Oct. 9 games
The top area high school athletes whose recent efforts have earned them special recognition during the fall season
Games with first-place ramifications in IVC, PAC, WCAL, CWC, Suburban highlight Oct. 19 slate
Dover junior Austin Levengood shot 159 over two rounds at NCR Country Club in Kettering
The rival boys teams split two regular-season matches and could meet for the district title Oct. 29
An Ohio Department of Natural Resources representative will discuss regional mining history and reclamation efforts Oct. 22
Leadership Club volunteers will provide yard cleanup for seniors and residents in need Nov. 14, with requests due Nov. 10
Kent State Tuscarawas will host the concerts in New Philadelphia Feb. 6 and April 1
Businesses and organizations can reserve trees by Nov. 4 for the Olde Main Street Museum’s Christmas Wonderland
The League of Women Voters will host nonpartisan experts and election officials Oct. 22 at the Tuscarawas County Public Library
Vendors, downtown shops and local groups reported strong turnout during the annual fall festival
A planned 2027 radar survey will search for the Lenape chief’s burial site and foundations of the original mission
Oct. 17 event at Hecks Grove Park will raise funds for Christmas on the Square
The Tuscarawas alumni club will host the Ohio State-Indiana game Oct. 17 at Buffalo Wild Wings with free admission and wings
Evening tours explore Victorian mourning customs and reported unexplained occurrences at the historic home
Minerva’s historic theater will show the R-rated 1985 film “The Return of the Living Dead” at 7 p.m. Oct. 23
The 6:45 p.m. parade will include about 70 units, with entries due Oct. 26
Mary Elizabeth Jolly Lehigh-Sears, 88, of Dover, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 29, 2026, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Milton, West Virginia, to the late Andrew and Virginia Jolly.
Julie Ann (Ross) Gilbride, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 9, after experiencing a medical emergency, leaving behind family and friends who loved her beyond measure.
Donald Edward Shimp finished his journey to heaven on Friday, June 26, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1940.
Timothy John Schaefer, 67, of Dover, died Sunday, June 14, from complications of Type 1 diabetes.
Richard Thomas “Tom” Lauber, age 91, passed away on June 1, 2026, after a period of declining health.
William “Bill” Swihart, 88, of Winfield, passed away at Hennis Care Centre in Dover on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, following a period of declining health.
The Braves open Division IV district play Oct. 21 after Brooklun Abbuhl recorded her 1,000th career dig
Michelle Campbell’s replacement will be selected Oct. 29 as she prepares to become New Philadelphia City Schools treasurer
ODNR forestry crews have supported wildfire operations from Texas to Oregon while maintaining resources at home
Allisynn Hamsher is Tuscarawas County’s only student selected this year for the attorney general’s statewide leadership program
Deputies reported arrests, alleged fraud, traffic citations and investigations across several townships
The artisan shop featuring goods from more than 25 local vendors celebrates its grand opening Oct. 31 in New Philadelphia
Parade, pep rally and bonfire will precede the Oct. 23 rivalry game at New Philadelphia’s Quaker Stadium
The Cigar Box and Barrel House at 2241 state Route 516 plans bourbon service pending its liquor license approval
Branches in Bolivar, New Philadelphia, Strasburg and Sugarcreek will host family activities in October with registration required
Norwayne scores on final play to top Smithies; Indian Valley holds off Garaway; Dover maintains grip on OCC
The free Oct. 17 event at Leetonia Sportsman Club includes trapping demonstrations, a vendor fair and raffle
The Board of Elections says fraudulent messages direct recipients to a link and are not from its office
City officials say fire and EMS service could stop after Dec. 31 if Goshen Township and the city cannot reach a funding agreement
© Copyright 2025-2026, YourOhioNews.com All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
