Middle School Solar Project on Hold as Contractor Dispute Continues

A county-funded solar project at Long Valley Middle School is just one of several on hold throughout Morris County as a dispute between the contractor and developer of the project continues, according to a news report.

The Washington Township Board of Education selected Long Valley Middle School in 2011 to participate in the grant-funded program, spearheaded by the Morris County Improvement Authority, to install solar panels in an effort to save the district money on utility costs. This, along with 23 other projects in the county, was part of a $33 million bond package to develop solar generation on local schools and municipal buildings.

Among the bigger projects in the county, panels were installed at Mennen Arena and at the County College of Morris in Randolph.

The Long Valley Middle School Project, however, was scheduled to be part of a phase of projects that has been indefinitely delayed as the contractor and developer are engaged in a legal battle over money, The Star-Ledger reported. The delayed projects were initially expected to be completed by now, but a resolution has not yet been reached.

While the county waits for an outcome from the legal dispute, some legislators have questioned whether the county should be in the business of solar at all. Two Morris County freeholders, John Krickus and Hank Lyon, both of whom campaigned against solar projects being completed by the county, talked to the Ledger about their opposition of the initiative.