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Politics & Government

Solar Energy Question Sparks Debate at Council Meeting

School board member should have identified himself, member of Berkeley Shores Homeowners Civic Association says

 

A Berkeley Board of Education member recently urged the Township Council to proceed with green energy plans, before federal subsidies dry up.

But since school board member didn't identify his position when he made his comments, that led to an exchange about whether office holders should identify themselves when speaking during council meetings.

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Fulcomer asked the governing body what the future holds for solar energy in the township.

Council President said the council formed an alternative energy committee about a year ago to look into the feasibility of solar power for municipal energy needs.

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Township Council Vice-President and Mayor-Elect serves on the committee, which focused on signing a shared services agreement with the Central Regional School District. Further discussions had to wait until after Central Regional finished installing the solar panels for its project in October, he said.

A  feasibility study has been completed, but the council committee hasn't  had a chance to meet and review the study. He said he was hopeful that review would occur in the next two weeks.

Fulcomer asked if the township has made a commitment to partake in a solar program with Central Regional. Amato said no.

Fulcomer then suggested the township may want to work the Berkeley Board of Education instead.

“If there is a tax benefit, 100 percent of the money will go to Berkeley Township, whereas with Central Regional we would have to share with other municipalities,” he said.

Fulcomer added that regardless of which option the township decides to proceed with it should “move quickly” as he was afraid federal subsidies for solar power could be discontinued.

“Many of the programs are not as popular from the federal government’s point of view and national elections next year may change the future of energy in the country,” he said. “So if you are going to move forward, I urge you to move forward right away to take advantage of maximum subsidies available to taxpayers.”

Fulcomer’s comments were not appreciated by all members of the public.

member William Grochowicz accused Fulcomer of “hypocrisy” for not identifying himself as school board member while urging township officials to work with the local school board on solar energy rather than the Central Regional school district.

Grochowicz said the council should have a policy that requires an elected official political organization or public group to identify themselves when speaking at a council meeting.

“Mr. Fulcomer is an elected official," he said "I find it to be hypocrisy for him not to identify himself as elected official of the Berkeley Board of Education."

“I was speaking for myself," Fulcomer replied. "If I was speaking for the Board of Education, I would say so."

The two men then began sparring verbally, before Davis took control of the meeting to invite other members of the public to speak.

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