Croton eyes $100K battery lease to fund green projects

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ **Resolutions Passed**: None (no formal resolutions were voted on during this meeting).
• ◆ **Resolutions Failed**: None.
• ◆ **Applications Reviewed**: None.
• ◆ **Public Comments**: None (no guests or public speakers attended).
• ◆ **Reports**:
• ◆ **Personnel**: Village Engineer Dan O'Connor retired on 9/26/25 after 23 years of service; his replacement starts next week.
• ◆ **EV/EVSE**: The contract with Plug-In Stations Online (PISO) to install 18 EV charge ports at the train station is in-process. Construction begins next month with a goal of year-end completion. Total cost is ~$300K, fully funded by grants and non-taxpayer sources.
• ◆ **Renewable Diesel (RD)**: Mayor Brian Pugh reported the RD pilot test (started 9/29/25) on three village diesel vehicles is "so far, so good," successfully cutting CO2e and soot. The test runs through January 2026.
• ◆ **Train Station Solar Canopies**: Lighting issues under array #2 are being fixed by partially covering two photocells confused by distant train yard lights. Bollards will be installed to protect downspouts damaged by commuters.
• ◆ **DPW Solar Canopy**: Project awarding is delayed due to paperwork. Trustee Len Simon agreed to set up a zoom with Bryan Healy to proceed. The goal is to complete the 59.4 kW project by early 2026 at ~$300K (prior to incentives, a grant, and a ~$90K IRA rebate; no Village funds involved).
• ◆ **Residential Solarize**: Sustainable Westchester reported ~80 (~20%) of inquiries proceeded to contracts, double the prior Solarize percentage.
• ◆ **Heat Pumps**: Harmon firehouse rooftop HPs are on hold until the roof is replaced. Washington firehouse garage HPs are on hold until Harmon's solar rooftop is completed.
• ◆ **Food Scrap Recycling**: A new, larger scrap shed has been ordered and will be delivered before the November meeting. Additional toters will be ordered to accommodate 20-25 (~20%) more families.
• ◆ **BESS Revenue Proposal**: Chair Lindsay Audin scoped two small plots at the Pumphouse Road water facility for a potential 2-4 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) lease. Based on a Cortlandt proposal, this could generate ~$100K/yr, with half reserved for future carbon-cutting projects. Len Simon agreed to set up a zoom with Bryan Healy to review the option. Ground-mounted solar was previously rejected for this site due to shading, flooding, and utility needs.
• ◆ **PR/Outreach**: Groundwork Hudson Valley toured the solar canopies on 9/20; Audin was interviewed by WBAI radio on power storage on 9/24.