Public pushes for answers on solar project

NEWTON — The public came out to a recent Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting, requestion answers regarding the solar project and SunLight General Capital
Resident John Snyder asked, again, for the solar project to be discussed in an open forum.
“To find out exactly what is going on with this fiasco,” Snyder said.
Harvey Roseff asked for a public explanation why Sussex County bailed out SunLight, when the county won all the court cases up to the supreme court. He said the public should see SunLight in this room, along with the Morris County Improvement Authority. “Where is SunLight?” asked he later.
Freeholder Phillip R. Crabb agreed, again, with Snyder to have an open forum. He said until it happens, he would answer any questions Snyder might have. He also added Sussex County Technical School looks to be on schedule with its solar project.
Freeholder Jonathan M. Rose said on March 30 posts were installed for the Hardyston Board of Education; and the panels will soon begin to be installed. The rest of the projects are still in the paperwork phase and are slowly moving forward.
Crabb asked if they could try to do something to help move some of the projects forward, which will be taken under consideration.
Freeholder Director George F. Graham said a public forum regarding the solar project would be difficult, however, thousands of pages of facts are currently online. Graham added right now they are trying to stabilize the situation into the full build-out of the solar project.
Snyder later asked if there would be any economic benefit in the rate charged for electricity with the solar project. He also said he is not convinced solar is the way to go,
“Especially when you need 30 percent subsidies from the government," Snyder said. "I believe individual business should make it on their own.”
Gary Larson asked about a new additional $50 temporary food vendor fee. He argued the additional fee is on top of each township fee, which the county already collects through county taxes, therefore, it is a double dip. He asked the county to rescind the fee and the additional bureaucracy of vendors needing to fill out two separate applications, especially if the county is trying to bring business people back into the county.
Graham said he spoke with the treasurer and they are looking into it.
Later, Graham also said the freeholders are in the middle of investigating a lot of things regarding the solar project; and the they need to get the real facts. That is why the freeholders hired an outside attorney, who has no connection with any of the solar project.