By Steven Stilt
The Wamac City Council on Monday evening gave its approval on a planned solar project in the community.
Council members approved the zoning request for the solar array, which will sit on an approximately 47-acre site adjacent to South Wabash Avenue and U.S. Route 51 in Washington and Marion counties. The council, in a separate motion, voted in favor of annexing a small portion of the site into the city of Wamac which had previously been outside city limits.
Jessica Wagner of Trajectory Energy Partners attended Monday’s meeting. Wagner says the hope is that construction on the array can start by the end of the year, but she notes that there are still several hurdles to clear before construction can get underway.
In other business, the council approved Motor Fuel Tax appropriations in the amount of $17,864, which will include the purchase of approximately 50 tons of rock salt, as well as rock and patching materials.
The council also approved salary increases of $2 per hour for the city’s police chief, zoning officer, and public works director, with those raises being made retroactive to the beginning of the year.
Council members also heard from Mark Decker, Mike and Judy Sutherland, and Luke Purcell from the group “Marion County Celebrates America 250,” which will be presenting a special program and meal on Friday, July 3rd, at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Salem in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
