Aveo Energy Solar presented a proposal at a previous Crossville Village Board meeting to build a solar project at the sewer plant.
The proposal has an initial out-of-pocket cost of $55,500, but with incentives and rebates, the cost came to $43,381, with an estimated four-year payback period and a 25-year warranty. Board members claimed it would include its own battery backup and compared it to buying a new generator to replace the existing one.
“Do we know how much it was gonna be just to put in like a new generator out there?”
“It’s probably looking at 30-40. It was put in in 1987, so it’s looking at like 30 years old.”
“So it’s time to replace it.”
“Wow. And it would cost 30 to 40,000 just to replace the generator?”
The board had concerns about how the solar would perform during the winter months, but it approved Aveo Energy; members Jacobs and Kuykendall voted no.
Then the idea came up of creating a town trash ordinance. Village President and Mayor Rick Kuykendall clarified the issue he had been told about.
“People leave their trash cans out on the roads all week, and sometimes it becomes a safety hazard. And I don’t know, other than to politely ask people to put them up, or if we wanted to say like ‘Let’s have a, have an ordinance’, you know, and you’d hate to say this, but you know, ‘Hey, if you don’t put your trash can off the street’ then there’s a potentially that you could maybe have a fine involved in it or something.”
Discussion then turned to the timeline for when people would have to put out and collect their trash cans. Some suggested specific times, and others noted that holidays would need to be considered. The board agreed to draft an ordinance addressing the trash can situation around town.
Utility Superintendent Derek Spicer brought up the idea of a new water tower call box, a Sensaphone Sentinel. Spicer explained that the tower call box now uses a phone line; a newer, internet-based model is available. In an emergency at the water tower, low water levels, or other problems, the system would alert Spicer.
There is just one hiccup to the idea. The water tower currently has no internet. The board would have to purchase the updated call box and pay for internet.
After some back-and-forth, members agreed to purchase the call box for $678. They also agreed to pay the fee to install internet at the water tower and a one-year subscription for the Sensaphone Sentinel. In total, without internet because they didn’t have it on hand, the payment will be $786.
The board deferred action on replacing the Village of Crossville entrance signs after reviewing a local proposal for two powder-coated steel signs costing $13,500 before installation. The board asked Spicer to price-check other options before deciding, so they tabled the item.
The board also tabled a resolution on a complaint policy. The reason was to ensure all board members could be present to vote.
A few other items were approved, including accepting bids for the property on Second Street behind the bank and bids for the old ambulance. The board will accept bids for the ambulance now and open them at the November meeting. A resolution was passed for the December 12 Winterfest parade route along the highway; the board still has to submit a road-closure permit to the state.
The board will purchase another port-a-potty for the park; this time, it will be handicap-accessible. The board is not sure how much it would cost; renting it would be a little more than $80, and it would be available in the park during the winter months, when the restrooms at Village Park are being winterized.
Lastly, Cherie Westfall was selected as an alternate for board committees, including the animal, police, and fire boards. Kuykendall stated,
“Sometimes the committees have to make a decision that affects friends, neighbors, and stuff like that. So I think that when something pops up and you have to sit in a committee meeting and talk about how to go, go further or go on with an ordinance and stuff like that, you may not want to feel comfortable doing that. So I agree 100%.”
With that passed, the board adjourned and will meet again on November 10 at 6:30 pm.