Town of Jackson board reorganizes, hears update on Solar 1

JACKSON — The Town of Jackson held its regular and re-organizational Town Board meeting Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Jackson Town Hall, with all board members present.

Town Supervisor Jay Skellie presided over the meeting, joined by Councilman Tim Grogan, Councilman Travis Rea, Councilwoman Jennifer VanDeWater, and newly sworn-in Councilman Doug Muller, who was appointed to complete the unexpired term of former Councilwoman Carol Rich, who retired last summer. Highway Superintendent Dan Carney was absent.

Also in attendance were Town Clerk Rebecca Breese, Deputy Town Clerk Molly Dixon, Budget Officer Donna Nolan, Planning Board Chair Kelly Donahue, interim Town Assessor Christine Mattat, Town Historian Carol Mallory, and members of the public and press.

Several town officials were sworn in at the start of the meeting, including Breese as town clerk, Dixon as deputy town clerk, and Mattat as interim assessor.

Mattat reminded residents that questions about property tax exemptions, including STAR, agricultural, forestry, and disability exemptions, should be directed to the assessor’s office. She noted that residents may contact either herself or Assessor Bobby Stone for assistance.

Breese reported on December revenues, noting that in addition to property tax collections currently underway, the town received $45 in dog license fees and $2.21 from a hunting license. She also reviewed recent staffing changes in the clerk’s office, with Dixon formally sworn in as deputy town clerk while continuing to serve as planning board clerk.

In the absence of the highway superintendent, Rea presented the Highway Department report, outlining routine winter road maintenance and truck upkeep during December. The board approved a change to the department’s work schedule, moving highway employees to a four-day, 10-hour workweek from Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work Fridays as needed during winter storms.

The board also approved hiring a part-time highway employee to assist with snowplowing for approximately 25 hours per month, setting the straight-time pay rate at $25 per hour.

Planning Board Chair Kelly Donahue reported that the January planning board meeting had been rescheduled to Jan. 13 due to weather, but she provided an update on ongoing issues related to the Jackson Solar 1 project on Route 22. Donahue said a fire involving wiring at the site had been reported in December and investigated.

She also discussed continued concerns about glare from the solar array affecting Route 22 traffic and neighboring properties. Studies conducted beginning in March 2025 determined that the site’s steep terrain made it impractical to install adjustable panels as originally anticipated. Donahue said the planning board is still reviewing data to determine possible mitigation measures.

The board and planning chair also discussed the town’s solar moratorium, which is set to expire in February. Donahue said planning board attorney David Klingebiel recommended extending the moratorium for six months rather than the three months initially requested by the planning board. Ongoing concerns include a lack of response to inquiries about whether Solar 1 is currently generating power. The planning board plans to contact National Grid to determine if electricity from the site is being fed into the grid.

The board voted to hold a public hearing on extending the solar moratorium for six months at its Feb. 4 meeting.

Town Historian Carol Mallory provided an update on upcoming regional historical programming, including a March 17 festival focused on the British evacuation during the Revolutionary War. The discussion expanded to the significance of the region during the Revolution, with Skellie noting that a large portion of Revolutionary War activity occurred within a relatively small geographic area that includes the town.

Under old business, officials noted that the planning board continues to seek a Jackson resident to fill a current vacancy.

As part of the re-organizational meeting, the board approved its annual resolutions, including town appointments, bank depositories, investment policies, audit committee appointments, mileage rates, and the designation of The Eagle Press as the town’s official newspaper.

The 2026 meeting schedule was also set. Town Board meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., while Planning Board meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Town Court will be held Thursdays at 5 p.m. in January, with any schedule changes to be posted publicly.

All meetings and court sessions are held at the Jackson Town Hall, 2355 State Route 22, Cambridge.