To the Editor:

I am writing to the Altamont and Guilderland community.

It has been a while since I last updated everyone on the community effort to re-site the planned solar array on Dunnsville Road, so I wanted to take some time this afternoon to bring everyone up to speed on our efforts.

With the help and support of neighbors, friends, the Altamont and Guilderland community, and others, both near and far, our efforts have been successful!

Joe Muia has agreed upon a plan to move the proposed solar array from his field fronting Dunnsville Road to property on the other side of the hill; there will be deed restrictions on the property fronting Dunnsville Road to prevent commercial development and preserve the Helderberg viewshed.

A contract has been negotiated with a verbal agreement, awaiting signatures and closing date.

In addition, the efforts of everyone spurred a revision of language in the Guilderland zoning law specific to solar development. The amended law, approved by the Guilderland Town Board last week, strengthens existing language to reflect community priorities and the Guilderland Comprehensive Plan.

There are some individuals I would like to publicly acknowledge: When this issue first came to everyone’s attention, a group of multi-talented individuals stepped forward to offer time, talents, resources, advice — whatever was needed:

— Laura Shore, artist extraordinaire and tech guru, got the project off the ground, even planning and communicating from a European vacation;

— Mayor Jim Gaughn and Keith Lee tapped resources, contacts, and offered expert guidance;

— Jeff Perlee, county legislator, whose expertise informed our arguments, helped to navigate the political landscape and provided the community with historical context of the significance of the Helderberg Escarpment to Albany County;

— Kristin Casey, always willing to make phone calls, write letters to the editor, attend meetings, distribute signs, connect us with resources and individuals — truly a tireless worker;

— Megan and Kevin Connally, neighbors and friends who stepped up and involved themselves in anything that was asked of them;

— Steve Wickham, whose care and concern for Guilderland and its citizens is evident in the many, many community projects he is involved in; and

— Robin and Dave Pollitzer, neighbors who offered support, legal research, and advice.

This was truly a community effort! Thank you, thank you to all who voiced support, offered to assist, signed petitions, posted lawn signs in your front yards, attended town meetings, wrote letters, etc.

In the trying times we all face, let this stand as a reminder that we are all in this together, willing to do whatever it takes to keep Altamont and Guilderland a safe, supportive, and nurturing community.

Donna Abbruzzese

Altamont

Editor’s note: Donna Abbruzzese is married to John Abbruzzese who, with his brothers, owns Orchard Creek, a golf course and wedding venue with a view that would have been marred by a proposed commercial solar array fronting Dunnsville Road.

See related story.