Minster could get second solar field

MINSTER - The village could host a second solar field and more energy storage sites.

Half Moon Ventures of Chicago CEO Michael Hastings spoke to village council members on Tuesday about building another solar field and up to two more energy storage sites in the coming years.

Half Moon would cover all construction costs, he said. The company would continue to allow the village to use the energy for free as it does for the current solar field and energy storage site.

Adding new storage sites and another field would give village residents a micro grid should they lose power for an extended time, Daniel Girard of S&C Electric Co., Chicago, said.

More storage sites would give Minster about four hours of additional power for major blackouts. However, most outages typically last only a few minutes, he said.

Half Moon would like to double its amount of energy storage in the village. The additional storage would work in conjunction with the 7 megawatt site on North Ohio Street, Hastings said.

Half Moon completed the Ohio Street site in March. The $10 million project was funded entirely by the company along with the $8 million solar field west of the village on Minster-Fort Recovery Road.

No timetable was discussed, and locations for storage sites have not been determined, Hastings said, adding he wanted to let village officials know about the possible expansion.

Council president Rick Schwartz said village officials will further discuss the plan before deciding.

In other action, council members approved under suspension of rules an emergency ordinance setting about $6.2 million in interim appropriations for 2017. The funds will cover needed costs until the final budget is approved, village administrator Don Harrod said.

Harrod said the village will replace the 8-inch water main that runs under state Route 66 south of First Street in response to a number of water main breaks in that area. The line will be replaced by a larger 16-inch line, which will improve water pressure.

Officials are gathering material quotes and working with Choice One Engineering to create basic plans for the water line project. The information will be submitted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to obtain a permit to install, Harrod noted.

The work likely would be done during the winter. Dannon would need to shut down production for a few hours so crews could tie the new line into the existing line, he added.

Council also approved under suspension of rules an emergency resolution to create a mosquito control grant fund. Harrod has said the village had been awarded a $20,000 OEPA grant to help purchase equipment to minimize mosquitos. The fund will allow officials to accurately account for the money and purchases made, Harrod said.

Also on Tuesday, council members,

• approved an agreement to annex into the village from Jackson Township about 7 acres of land on the south side of First Street. The land is owned by Dannon. The village would provide the property with utilities service.

• heard first reading of a resolution authorizing a contract with Thomas Guillozet to continue to act as the mayor's court magistrate for 2017. Fees for Guillozet's services will be a $175 retainer and a $175 hourly charge for his services.

• gave second reading of an ordinance to enter into a contract with the Auglaize County commissioners to work with Miami County officials to issue building permits for commercial buildings in the village.

Miami County officials would enforce and administer Ohio building permits for commercial buildings if all Auglaize County municipalities agree to use the county instead of the state, Harrod has said. Commissioners believe the change would cut the wait time for commercial property inspections.

The contract would be renewed annually and does not cost any more than the state's fees, he has said.

• learned Santa Claus will arrive at Minster Machine Centennial Park at 12:15 p.m. Saturday.

• learned Tom Mertz will retire from the village's wastewater treatment department at the end of February after about 29 years of service.

• learned village workers will continue leaf pickup through the end of the week.

Correction:

The village has a power purchase agreement with Half Moon Ventures to pay for energy from the solar field site west of the village, and the energy storage site improves power quality of the village. The article incorrectly stated the relationship. The error occurred reporting.