NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Fire Protection District is set to receive a $35,000 grant to purchase a new Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) as part of a community benefit agreement with New Lenox Community Energy Initiative LLC, the company planning to build a solar farm on Spencer Road.

During its meeting on Monday, the district’s Board of Trustees discussed the agreement, which addresses safety and access concerns related to the new development.

Fire Chief Adam Riegel explained that the district’s primary concern with the solar farm project is managing the vegetation and ensuring access for emergency vehicles. “Our concern is the distance between the panels and the height of the grass,” Riegel stated in the meeting minutes. The close spacing of solar panels can make it difficult for standard fire apparatus and mowing equipment to navigate the area, creating a potential fire hazard from overgrown grass.

To mitigate this, the energy company proposed the $35,000 grant for the district to acquire a UTV. The versatile, smaller vehicle will allow firefighters and maintenance crews to get into the “tight areas” between the solar panel arrays for fire prevention, emergency response, and routine maintenance.

The agreement represents a proactive collaboration between the fire district and the developer, ensuring that public safety needs are addressed before construction begins. The build-out of the solar farm is expected to take approximately nine months to one year.

The board took no formal action on the agreement during Monday’s meeting, with the item listed for discussion. Further action is expected as the project progresses. This partnership allows the district to obtain necessary specialized equipment at no cost to taxpayers while facilitating the development of renewable energy within its jurisdiction.