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ONEONTA
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subscribe to hometown oneonta today! CALL 607-547-6103 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, March 26, 2026
Volume 18, No. 22
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Hartwick Town Passes Solar Moratorium By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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HARTWICK n a special meeting on Friday, March 20, the Town of Hartwick Town Board unanimously passed a six month solar moratorium—with the support of the developer for a proposed solar project in the town. For the six-month period, a broad range of solar projects will not be allowed to proceed in the town, including both solar farms and rooftop solar. Now, the Hartwick Town Board will work in conjunction with the town attorney and Planning Board to research and likely draft a law regulating solar energy in the town. SolAmerica, a Georgia-based solar energy company
whose inquiries earlier this year about building a solar farm set off widespread community opposition leading to the moratorium, had two representatives attend the public hearing for the moratorium. The company has not filed an application for the project yet. “I’m actually in favor of your moratorium,” Scott Temple, a permitting manager for the company, told board members during the public hearing preceding the vote. “I think it’s smart that you want to all be on the same page and protect your community. I will say, there’s nothing to protect it from. Solar is a very safe, passive resource.” “We’d love to be a partner if you’re willing to listen to Continued on page 11
Coop Teachers Union Calls Out District Board Discusses Regionalization and Emergency Notifications By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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COOPERSTOWN t the March 18 regular meeting of the Cooperstown Central School School Board, faculty members raised criticisms of district administration and called for more responsiveness. School board members also discussed emergency notification procedures for board members and regionalization discussions with other local school districts to share resources. Rebecca Burk-Sciallo, a Junior-Senior High School teacher and co-president of the Cooperstown Faculty Association, rose during public comment on behalf of the union “to express our frustration at what seems like intentional silence to questions, follow up, and clarification from our district office leadership.” CFA representatives have raised criticisms of district administration at multiple board meetings in recent months. Burk-Sciallo said, “Clarity makes fertile ground Continued on page 2 INSIDE ► tillapaugh triumphs, page 2
They’re Back!
Photo by Dakota Keats
ONEONTA—Ryan Brooks (center), third-generation owner of Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q, poses with members of his staff as the restaurant prepares to bring back full sit-down service. Story on page 3.
Olski Winner of First Hugh MacDougall Essay Contest
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COOPERSTOWN ooperstown Central ► hats off to ccs School junior hoopsters, page 4 Andrew Olski is ► A Composting the winner of the inauconundrum, page 4 gural Hugh C. MacDougall Essay Contest. The writing ► save the date: daffodil competition, sponsored jazz brunch, page 5 by the Rotary Club of ► the news in brief, Cooperstown, is in honor page 6 of longtime Rotarian Hugh MacDougall. The contest ► scholarship round now open, page 6 is open to juniors enrolled at CCS and judged by ► art museum set to faculty members, officials open, page 7 said. Olski was awarded ► what to do? page 12 a cash prize of $500.00 and attended a luncheon meeting hosted by the Photo by Jennifer Pindar Rotary Club. David Olski and Sarah Spross join their son, Andrew Olski, as he accepts the inaugural Jennifer Pindar, chair Hugh C. MacDougall Essay Contest award from Rotary President William Waller. 1 98715 21709 4
of the CCS History Department, explained the focus of the essays as “based upon history and life in Cooperstown in memoriam to town historian Hugh MacDougall.” MacDougall, a retired United States diplomat, settled in Cooperstown in 1986 and became deeply engrossed in local history, particularly the life and works of James Fenimore Cooper. He served as village historian from 2006 until his passing in 2021. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Eleanore. During MacDougall’s Continued on page 8
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