Cloverdale Council ends Solar Farm talks before they get started

As has been the case for the last two years, any time a government body in Putnam County has a solar farm topic on the agenda, the masses show.

Such was the case for the Cloverdale Town Council recently for its February meeting, which was conducted in front of a packed room after the board's agenda made its way around various social media platforms and Facebook Chatter groups. 

However, a funny thing happened on the way to discussion.

Cloverdale Town Board President Brandon Tancak immediately put an end to months of rumors, innuendos and falsehoods by issuing a statement, in which he said the Town of Cloverdale does not have an economic agreement with EnergyRe. Stating the rumors are "getting out of hand," Tancak said it was time to address the elephant in the room despite never being asked about it previously in a public meeting. 

EnergyRe has unsuccessfully tried over the last year to get land rezoned and put in a solar farm just outside the Cloverdale Town limits. Last year, a 2,000 acre proposed solar farm was turned down by the Putnam County Commissioners. Since then, EnergyRe has whittled the project down to about 1,000 acres and has resubmitted plans with the County Plan Commission. 

However, Tancak was focused solely on the Town of Cloverdale and rumors he had heard about the project for months.

The board president thanked those in attendance, adding that over time, the council has heard privately from individuals and companies both in favor of and against the proposed solar farm, as well as county elected officials and volunteers. 

"I can assure you that each council member from the Town of Cloverdale has done their homework to understand what a project of this magnitude would mean for our community. All the pros, all the cons. EnergyRe and the family owned business that seek to turn farmland into a solar farm, have heard from almost everyone in the county and beyond," Tancak said. 

Tancak said he and other board members have been asked about the proposal and Cloverdale's involvement at their homes, businesses and jobs. 

"The Town of Cloverdale does not have an economic development agreement with EnergyRe for this project. The Town of Cloverdale is not working with anyone on annexation of the proposed land. Those are the facts. The Town of Cloverdale has absolutely nothing to do with the proposed project," Tancak noted. 

He did, however, say Cloverdale leaders did meet with EnergyRe, just as they would with any other potential business interested in coming to Cloverdale. And, he said Cloverdale is not and has never been prepared to receive a $10 million bonus if the solar farm were to come to Cloverdale.

"Rumors like that are why I felt like we had to make this statement. Those couldn't be further from the truth," he said. 

Tancak did, however, note Cloverdale is on the cusp of growth, pointing to the work council has done in positioning the town in a responsible manner financially. 

"Housing, commercial and industrial opportunities are some examples. We welcome developers and investors. The Town of Cloverdale is poised for great success now and in the future," Tancak said. 

With the statement now public, Tancak told The Putnam County Post there is nothing left to be done between Cloverdale and EnergyRe. 

"The town has nothing to do with the project. It is being ran through the county and falls outside the town's limits and borders," Tancak told The Putnam County Post.