Expect the initial staging for the Greater Johnstown School District’s new solar field to begin before snow flies, with construction perhaps next spring and most of it completed by fall, on the way to saving taxpayers more than $9 million over 18 years.

Superintendent Alicia Koster said Wednesday the $11 million project is just awaiting its final review and approval from the state Education Department.

“We are hearing they have a pretty quick turnaround,” Koster said.

District voters approved the plan to build the 2-megawatt facility, 212 to 164, on Sept. 29. It was the second on the matter. Voters defeated the referendum, 110 to 115, in July. Koster said confusion over the phrasing of the initial proposition caused the defeat, and a better communication afterward led to the approval.

The project would be funded almost entirely from state and federal sources:

Koster said she’s confident of the federal aid, despite the federal shutdown and a shift in priorities with a new presidential administration.

“That’s something we’ve been tracking for a while now. The latest information we have is that the tier-down begins with new projects in 2027.”

In return for paying nothing for the project, district property owners will see the savings, up to $9.4 million in energy over 18 years, and perhaps more after that, Koster said, because the solar panels will last 25 to 30 years.

“This is a very creative way for a school district to lower its electricity cost,” she said.

The district hired John W. Danforth Co. of Syracuse to erect the 2-megawatt solar field on 9 acres behind the high school. The facility will generate about 3.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to meet 110% of the district’s annual electricity needs.

Danforth would guarantee the energy savings and maintenance of the array for up to 18 years, and would reimburse the district if savings fall short of projections.

The district can extend the maintenance agreement to last the life of the array, about 25 to 30 years. Once the panels wear out, the district would be responsible for removing or replacing them, Koster said.

Koster said the Town of Johnstown supported the effort, even though the district was exempt from a town moratorium on solar projects because the state Education Department was the permitting authority, not the town.

The panels would lie entirely on district property and supply the district, although excess energy could be sold back to the power grid, much like residential solar projects, which were not blocked under the moratorium.

District officials began speaking with town officials last winter, Koster said.

“We wanted to be good neighbors and good partners, even though the Education Department was the permitting authority.”

Chris Mraz of Mayfield takes measurements while replacing the kickplate on the front porch of a church on Kingsboro Avenue in Gloversville on Friday.

Making everything fit

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called for answers from the Trump administration and USDA on cuts to programs that provide funding to food pantry’s throughout New York state.

US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Eight days in to a federal shutdown, Democrats are holding firm. They say the goal is to preserve affordable health care for millions of Americans.

“I think Democrats are using the only bit of leverage we have right now just to fight for people’s health care,” U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters. “President Trump controls the White House, the House and the Senate. We are trying very hard to take a stand now on health care, because we want to stand with the American people who will not be able to afford it and are terrified. “

Gillibrand said 1.6 million New Yorkers will soon see their premiums spike if health insurance subsidies are not........

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