Residents concerned about solar panel project

FOSTORIA — Fostoria City Council has faced concerns about a proposal regarding floating solar panels at Reservoir Five. The proposed ordinance, introduced at a meeting earlier this month, would lease a portion of city-owned land for photovoltaic solar energy development. The ordinance was tabled at the previous meeting. Public concerns Residents spoke out at the meeting with concerns about the project, beginning with Rachelle Harmon. "It's a legacy for our children — and something that we want to be able to leave for the future generations. As farmers, our goal is to always leave the land better than when we found it," noted Harmon. She shared she had addressed members of council two years prior about a similar proposed solar project from Cypress Creek Renewables, which she had also opposed. "Now proposed again are floating solar panels on reservoir 5, as well as a transmission line. The solar panels are intended to bring power to WinWaste Innovations' and RNG Vision's recently announced renewable natural gas project," said Harmon. A majority of her concerns stem from previous interactions with solar companies in Arcadia and from the effects the solar panels will have on Fostoria's water. "There are so many forever chemicals in the panels, it wouldn't matter if you filtered the water 100 times," she said. "I have seen what happens to these panels when they are caught in a hailstorm — the glass shatters and the panels crack open." The implementation of the project could have an environmental impact regardless of whether any panels broke open, Harmon said. "The project will also change the oxygen levels in the reservoir, causing a possible algae bloom," she said, citing the algal bloom in Lake Erie as an example. She also noted concerns about the impact it would have on wildlife. "In the last two years, my peaceful little corner of Washington Township has seen more destruction and development than I ever could imagine," Harmon said. "We have had the possible Cypress Creek Renewables project, the Win Waste Pond/lake/barrow pit and the three Lowry sisters, the expansion project destroying our roads — Win Waste again." Several other residents backed her up, including Clay Wolph, president of the Seneca County Board of Health. "I was speaking with someone today who knows these systems — reservoirs are very complex systems, and if you were to put a cover over top of it, potentially the wave action could change. This is what causes oxygen to be in the water — and we know what happens when you take oxygen out of water," said Wolph. He continued, saying it would be smart to go slow about the project. "Should there be an issue with oxygenation, are all these solar companies going to have the means to correct it? Will they put the money in, or will they be the ones on the hook?" Wolph said. Wolph concluded with concerns about the length of the lease, currently set at 30 years, noting the solar panels typically only last about 10 years. Other business Mayor Don Mennel requested the legislation for the splash pad be approved as an emergency so the contract can be signed and the project can continue. Additionally, he asked that the legislation for the solar cells be untabled so that the bidding process may continue. "We will bring a presentation to the council once the bids are selected and the high bid is approved. We will not enter into a contract until after that bidder has come to council and made a presentation," said Mennel. Interim Director of Public Service and Safety Madison Stearns requested that the new business item in regards to an ODNR grant be passed as an emergency to meet the April 1 application deadline. "While the Urban Forestry Grant has been unpaused, it could still be taken away at any time– and this ODNR grant ranging from $15,000-$100,000 will provide us with a little backup funding source, ensuring we don't need to pause any projects with the Tree and Beautification Committee," said Stearns. The following legislation was passed during the meeting: Ordinance No.: 2025-18: An Ordinance correcting Ordinance 2023-14 (An Advance to the CHIP-LAP Grant Fund) whereby the Ordinance 2023-14 authorized an advance of $24,000 from the General Fund to the CHIP-LAP fund should have been an Advance of $23,950 and a Transfer of $50. This constitutes a first reading of said ordinance. Ordinance No. 2025-19: Adopting and Amending ordinance No. 2024-105 (Permanent 2025 Appropriations) by appropriating from unappropriated funds in the Opioid Settlement Fund and declaring an emergency to exist. In other news Council President Brian Shaver addressed the open at-large council seat, saying the following: "Any citizen of Fostoria who is interested must meet just two requirements — residency, you must reside within city limits, and you must be an elector — which means you voted in the last election." Those interested can submit their interest materials to the city office during business hours by Tuesday, April 1. Interested applicants should plan to attend the Fostoria City Council meeting that evening, scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 1. "Council will likely go into some sort of executive session if those materials can be disseminated to the clerk prior to the meeting, and are asking applicants to essentially come before council and speak their case," added Shaver.