Slowly but surely, a proposed solar farm on the west side of Maybrook continues its progress toward all required approvals. The latest step will be a public hearing by the Maybrook Village Board at 7 p.m., Monday, May 22, on Local Law #3 which finalizes an annexation of 24.5 acres from the Town of Montgomery to the Village of Maybrook.

The acreage in question is part of an 80-acre parcel upon which Carson Power plans to construct two solar fields that would generate ten megawatts of electricity that would link into the Central Hudson Gas & Electric substation on Maybrook Road. The land is near Cardinal Health and Taylor Recycling.

Only 24.5 acres of the total site lay outside of the village; thus the need to annex. Carson Power will only develop on about 29 acres; the rest of the acreage will be donated to Maybrook.

At a joint town/village public hearing last month, both town and village boards considered the annexation. The May 22 public hearing the village will hold would codify the annexation. Village Attorney Kelly Naughton drew up a resolution, which the village board adopted unanimously, that paved the way for the May 22 public hearing. Quoting the resolution, Naughton said, “The annexation is in the best interests of the village.”

Maybrook has already issued a “negative declaration” of environmental impact for the solar farm project proposal and voted unanimously at a meeting this week to “reaffirm” that negative declaration. The village planning board has already held the required public hearings on Carson Power’s site plan, subdivision and special use permit.

Carson Power representatives predict that, if all goes well with the rest of the approval process, construction will begin this November. Project completion is estimated to take from six to eight months.

In other business at its meeting this week, the village board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Linda LaRosa, clerk to Building Inspector Timothy Ippolito, “with regret”. LaRosa has been with the village in various positions, including summer recreation director and deputy village clerk as well as her current position, for 20-plus years. Her resignation is effective July 21. “Linda has done a great job for the village,” Mayor Dennis Leahy said.

During the meeting, village Public Works Superintendent Matthew Thorp announced hydrant flushing will take place now through June 9. Water may be discolored but is safe to drink.

The village will sponsor a Community Spring Shred Day 8 a.m.-12 noon, Friday, May 12, at the Government Center. There is no charge. All residents are welcome to participate and discard important documents.