Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Coxsackie village and town boards have each unanimously approved resolutions in opposition to the Hecate Energy 400-acre solar project. The 50-megawatt solar farm is proposed to be built near Farm to Market Road on property owned by the Flach family. The Coxsackie Village Board approved its measure July 9, after reviewing the project application with counsel and listening to residents, Mayor Mark Evans said. “Most residents aren’t against solar energy but they are certainly opposed to a commercial grade solar project in our community,” Evans said. “As a board we felt the same way.” Following the village’s lead, the Coxsackie Town Board passed its resolution opposing the project the following night. “This project as proposed will literally lead to the destruction of so much farmland, so much usable, developable land and will do so much damage to the rural character of our town,” Town Supervisor Richard Hanse said. The members of Saving Greene: Citizens for Sensible Solar praised the action taken by both boards. The project is not a small solar farm, but is considered a major electric generating facility by the state, the group said. A Hecate spokesman said the company has made major alterations to the project design in response to community input. However, that effort has not been acknowledged. The company's wish is for the village and town to take "a more objective approach" and make the project "the best it can be for the community," he said. Deciding the fate of the solar project is ultimately the state's responsibility, Hanse said. The state Public Service Commission’s electric siting board will hold a public meeting on the project, 5 p.m., July 18, at Coxsackie Village Hall, 119 Mansion Street. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.