Rostraver Twp. OKs solar farm agreement

Rostraver Township commissioners voted Monday to accept funds for a solar farm that will be placed in the township.

They unanimously approved a host community benefit agreement between the township and Pivot Energy, a Colorado-based company, that will result in the township receiving $150,000 as a one-time payment.

Township Solicitor Joseph Dalfonso said the payment will be provided once the solar farm begins operating.

Since last year, Pivot Energy has been collaborating with the township and attending board meetings to initiate the project. The solar farm is expected to be located along Turkey Hollow Road.

During a meeting in December, the board unanimously approved a conditional use for the Pivot Energy project. That allows Pivot Energy to use a seven-foot fence for the project, although the township code requires a height of 6.5 feet.

Township officials previously told the Mon Valley Independent that they weren’t sure when the project would begin. Commissioners felt positive about the agreement and their collaboration with Pivot.

“We’re happy to cooperate and work with anybody that wants to help us here in the township,” Commissioner Gary Beck said.

DEP landfill hearing

Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill, located in Rostraver Township, has submitted a permit application to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to discharge treated leachate into Speers Run tributaries and the Monongahela River near the Belle Vernon bridge.

A DEP hearing for the permit will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rostraver Central Fire Department social hall, located at 1100 Fells Church Road in Rostraver.

During Monday’s meeting, Belle Vernon resident Debby Fought asked commissioners if any of them will be in attendance. Dalfonso said he needs to talk to Township Manager Jeffrey Keffer about the matter.

Beck said some of the commissioners can’t make the hearing due to a conflict.

“We have another meeting scheduled that night; it’s been scheduled for months,” Beck said. “So some of us are going to try to go. I don’t know who’s all going to represent us. I know I’m committed to the other meeting first.”

Board President Jeffrey Johnson said someone will be at the hearing to represent the township and will update commissioners about what takes place.

In other business, commissioners: • Approved a $67,000 payment from the Rostraver Township Fire Tax Fund to the Rostraver Central Volunteer Fire Company.

• Announced a drive-thru Easter celebration will take place noon to 2 p.m. April 19 at 129 Recreation Drive.