Town farmers are considering installing a solar array on their property and met with the Planning Board this week to see if there was any opposition.
Robert and David Grimaldi, owners of farm land at 187 College Highway, told the board they have been discussing the project with Todd Bard, an energy consultant at Great Eastern Energy.
“We wanted to bring this to your board, but we wanted to see what happened at Town Meeting with the bylaw first,” said Robert Grimaldi.
Grimaldi referred to a solar array bylaw proposed by petition at the May 15 Town Meeting, which was defeated by voters. Planning Board Vice Chairperson Roz Terry said during the Town Meeting that she opposed that particular bylaw, but supported the need for a bylaw concerning solar installations.
Currently, the state allows solar arrays on private property by right.
“So we have no way to protect you or your neighbors,” Terry told the Grimaldis this week.
The town has no control over any solar installation, which means property owners can install solar arrays without public hearings, bonding, or notification to abutters.
“That’s why I’d like to see a bylaw,” said Terry. “I’m concerned about the protection of the town. I’m not concerned with the project.”
Chairman Douglas Moglin said the bylaw proposed at Town Meeting was “problematic” and did not allow for any review by the Planning Board.
The solar installation being considered by the Grimaldis would encompass approximately 25 acres of the 61-acre parcel and would be located to the rear of the parcel in a wooded area.
“No one would know it was there,” said Robert Grimaldi.
The Grimaldis assured the board that they asked numerous questions of Bard to ensure the project would not be an eyesore to neighbors.
“We asked if it would be noisy, if it would smell, if it could be seen from the road, etc.,” said Robert Grimaldi. “Most people will not know it’s there.”
David Grimaldi told the board that the family wants to be good neighbors and make money on their farm. He said the area that would house the installation is not being farmed and is not a good space for farming anything besides the sun. He also said they are trying to cover their bases and would include bonding in the contract so that when there comes a time that the array needs to be removed, it is taken care of.
“We don’t want to get stuck either,” David Grimaldi said.
The brothers said while they know they can install the solar array by right, they want to do what’s right for the community and bring the project to the Planning Board so that any questions could be answered.
“Is there something in particular you’re concerned with in protecting the town that you want us to pay attention to?” asked David Grimaldi.
The board said it would like to speak to Bard to get more specifics on the project and the matter was continued until June 5.
