This parcel of land located on the northside of North Road in Westfield could soon be home to one of the largest solar array farms in the state. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Interest in solar installations has increased in town.
Planner Alan Slessler told the Southwick Planning Board that he expects three solar proposals to come forward, including one on the north side of town on Tannery Road and another to the south by Big Y.
Currently, the town does not have a bylaw that addresses solar installations. The state allows them by right, but it’s up to individual communities to establish regulations. Some towns have tried to ban solar farms, which is not a road Southwick plans to travel.
“I don’t think a ban is the right way,” said Planning Board Chairman Douglas Moglin. “I think any town that tries to outlaw it is misguided and will end up in a court.”
Moglin said “it’s up to the town to put forth regulations.”
Board Vice Chairpeson Roz Terry began exploring solar bylaws last summer and said she received little to no attendance at several public meetings.
“I didn’t get any feedback from the community,” she said.
Terry suggested the board explore a table for uses that fit into the current zoning.
“I couldn’t find any bylaws similar to Southwick – we would end up rewriting our whole zoning,” she said. “We need to use the zoning we have.”
Terry said the board could restrict solar arrays in particular zones, as long as it was allowed elsewhere.
The board agreed to have Slessler further vet out the options and come back tot he board with suggestions.
