Town of Rutland
Conservation Commission
Minutes: November 9, 2018
Meeting Opened: 7:10 P.M.
*SPECIAL MEETING*
Attendance:
Board Members Present: Joseph Dell’Aquila, Peter Craine, Shawn Moore, Willard Cannon
Board Members Absent: Eric Bigelow, Melissa Danza
Guests: Chris Anderson, Harold Reader
Application Submissions:
None
Votes:
Motion made to close the meeting--Motion made by Peter, seconded by Shawn; vote unanimous at 8:13 P.M.
Hearings:
Under Chapter 131, Section 40:
ZPT Energy Solutions II, LLC, Order of Conditions—101 Glenwood Place Ext.--Hearing opened at 7:10 P.M. Motion made to close hearing--Motion made by Peter, seconded by Shawn; vote unanimous at 7:27 P.M.
Notes: Chris Anderson presented on behalf of Hannigan Engineering, plans for a 3.5 megawatt solar facility. Will be accessed by a gravel drive with wetlands located in center and along the western property line. No work is proposed within the 25 foot buffer zone. There will be 3 detention basins, currently under review by Quinn Engineering. Shawn asked if detention basins will be monitored—yes they will be. There is a shade buffer along the southern border, where they will be cutting the larger trees and leaving smaller shrubbery. Peter asked about grading, there will be minimal grading needed. Shawn asked if the road needs to be re-enforced, that is outside the scope of this project. They hope to break ground in the Spring and anticipate less than 6 months to completion. Peter asked about
battery storage—there will be 2 battery pads and will connect to the grid located on Glenwood Place Ext. DEP had the following comments: 1. They have concerns about the area being unimproved. This is beyond the scope of the solar company and is up to the builder who owns the property in that area.
2. With regard to erosion controls, DEP asked that they be placed at the tree cutting line & the board agrees with this recommendation. 3. DEP would like the presence of white pines to be considered in the shading model—studies have been completed and are acceptable to the engineers.
4. NOI doesn’t contain soil logs—no testing has been done yet. Sub drains will be installed to keep the area dry. Concerns about ledge, but none has been seen. If any is found, they will excavate as needed. 5. SWPPP is being filed, swales being placed. Board asked they provide us with the SWPPP as well.
ZPT Energy Solutions II, LLC, Order of Conditions— 258 E. County Rd.—Hearing opened at 7:29 P.M. Motion made
to close hearing--Motion made by Shawn, seconded by Willard; vote unanimous at 7:38 P.M.
Notes: Chris Anderson presented on behalf of Hannigan Engineering. Significant grading will be needed to install the array. The primary wetland is near the rear of the property with beaver dams and BVW. No work is being proposed within Zone A. There will be a drainage swale to collect storm water and 2 detention basins. A 50 x 50 concrete block will be built as a substation for the electrical connection. Work will be within the 100 foot buffer, but still 50 feet from the wetland. Joe asked who owns the substation and that will be National Grid. DEP had the following comments: 1. Concerned about location of the electrical connection, but it is not in the buffer zone. 2. Recommends current NOI be updated to include access to the substation. 3. DEP would like a sedimentation area—if any issues, will be
addressed appropriately. 4. SWPPP to be provided—Peter observed on site walk that there will be significant earth movement, but not of concern because it will all be done on site.
ZPT Energy Solutions II, LLC, Order of Conditions—90 Bushy Lane—Hearing opened at 7:38 P.M. Motion made to close the hearing—Motion made by Willard, seconded by Shawn; vote unanimous at 7:44 P.M. Notes: Chris Anderson presented on behalf of Hannigan Engineering. Access will be off Bushy Lane, with the wetlands located along Paddock Rd. & a beaver dam. No work is being proposed in the 25 foot buffer zone. There will be a gravel access drive with a single detention basin. There will be a shade buffer with the larger trees being removed and smaller shrubbery to remain. DEP had the following comments: 1. Concern about proximity to Pommogussett Brook, but there is no work being done within the 400 foot buffer.
2. Proposed electrical connection—will be along access drive, not near the wetlands. 3. Erosion controls—all will be in place & SWPPP is being filed
Reviewed mail
Respectfully Submitted,
Tomeca Murphy
Secretary
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