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Solar panels and charging stations suggested in Durham Township

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Because of its history and rural landscapes, a lot of Bucks Countians consider little Durham, the second smallest township, buried in the past. That could be true, or not, and those dismissive people could be in for a surprise.

Talk of solar panels and charging stations came up during the public discussion segment of the Durham supervisors’ July meeting.

Resident Louis Bucci wanted to know if the township has yet received its second payment from the American Rescue Plan Act. The plan was designed to provide financial aid to those municipalities who lost revenue during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Durham was awarded $112,017 of the $298 million federal pandemic relief dollars funneled into Bucks County last year. The township received about half of that and set it aside while the supervisors consider uses for the funds. Danielle Cox, township administrator, told Bucci the second half should be available within weeks.

Bucci said, “We could use it for broadband cable. alternative energy, solar panels or hook-ups for cars.” Bucci said he believed the money should be used to benefit everyone in the township instead of giving it to only the fire company and rescue squad. The township has budgeted $47,000 in public safety funds for fire and ambulance services this year and has routinely given large sums annually to both.

Bucci said, “I know those organizations need money but this would be good for the entire township.” He received some support for his idea from David Juall, chairman of the township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). Bucci added, “And solar pays you back if you generate too much electricity. It’s a good look for the township and you even make money.” Fees for the use of a charging station for electric vehicles could also generate funds.

Township Solicitor Peter Nelson said, “Federal guidelines indicate the money, as long as it’s less than a million dollars, can be used for any purpose with the exception of reducing taxes, paying pensions and paying off lawsuits.”

In other business, the supervisors approved the application for a safety grant offered by The Kilmer Group, the township’s insurer. If the bid for the grant is successful it would provide funding for outside lighting for the township complex.

Since April, supervisors’ meeting have been dominated by lengthy discussions about adopting a policy that would demand either verbal or written permission to allow site visits on property where timber was being harvested.

The EAC had considered permitting site visits to make sure the property owners did not cause environmental damage; however, Supervisor Kathleen Gentner, who did further research on the matter, said state agriculture regulations clearly indicated property owners were free to do whatever they want in regard to cutting down trees on their land.

The solicitor said EAC members could offer suggestions or recommendations to the landowner. A site visit, he said, would be possible so long as it only involved the gathering of information. In the end. the township decided to scrap the idea of setting a new policy.


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