Although no new home permits have been issued in Polk Township since the beginning of the year, some new ventures may well be underway. Among them is a commercial solar facility on a 7.2 acre plot in Gilbert on Horseshoe Drive and Route 209 in an R3 Village Center.

The plan was submitted as a conditional use application by Robert Coleman to Polk Supervisors in December. A public hearing was held on Monday, Jan. 24, and the township Planning Commission has recommended approval with a 4-0 vote.At the Feb. 28 Supervisors' meeting the vote was 3-0 to approve the conditional use as long as certain conditions were met.According to the conditional use application, the proposed work will cost approximately $4 million. And, based on information provided the Planning Commission, local resources and manpower will be used and "usually 20 people are on site during the 4-5 months construction time."It is estimated that the system will "pay for itself in 5 years" with "no noise, no emission."Also being continued is resolution of issues pertaining to The Woods development. One change is going from central sewage to on-lot sewage.Approved during the past two board meetings, some with suggested changes or modifications are: the minor subdivision of the estate of Helen M. Serfass; a time extension of 92-days to April 26 for the Vernon Frable Plan; the John Dasilva lot joinder in Robinhood Lakes; the Andrew and Donna Rossi Lot joinder, also in Robinhood Lakes; and the Keith Brown Minor subdivision plan.Only one bid was received for the arch bridge structure and a pre-cast footing for Lower Middle Creek culvert project. The board approved the $73,500 bid proposal for the arch bridge but put on hold for further research the bid of over $29,000 for pre-cast footing.Also approved by the board was paying bills totaling $76, 332.52 and expending $493 for a plow cylinder, $275 to inspect a bucket truck and $550 to fix the furnace.The Supervisors approved the township fire police helping with traffic control for the 5th Annual Black Bear Triathlon to be held June 5.At the January meeting the board approved the request of real estate tax-exemption for Timothy J. Collins, based on his being approved for said exemption by the Dept. of Military & Veterans Affairs.Appointed this meeting as voting delegate to the EIT county-wide tax committee was Deb Christman, with Supervisor Nancy May as alternate.It was announced that solid waste permits are now being sold, with the discount period running to April 15.Also announced was a meeting at the Monroe County Conservation District for household water well assistance.Under consideration are possible ordinances pertaining to: solar farms, oil and gas, and yard sales.The next supervisors meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, March 28.