RUTLAND PLANNING BOARD
Public Hearing Site Plan Review
Solar Farm/Glenwood Road
3/27/12
Present: Norman Anderson, chairman; Richard Williams; Addison Redfield, Stephanie Bacon, Tim Nahrwold
Guests: Refer to sign in sheet in folder
Hearing opened at 8:02pm.
Chairman read legal ad. Application states project is located on Glenwood Court, however, Chairman stated that the Town Clerk informed him that there was no Glenwood Court in town.
Dick differed. Correction so noted.
Mr. Kevin Quinn’s report was also referenced.
Mr. Scott Fauke of Bowditch and Dewey Law Firm presented project.
- 90 acre site on Glenwood Road, 2100 Solar panels will be installed (natural buffering).
- 1/3rd of the land is will not be developed. There are no storm water issues on site.
- A 630 square foot building will be on site. There will be a 6 feet high fence and an access road for vehicles.
- Project will be monitored remotely from central office in Worcester.
- Inverters were referenced along with biodegradable oil.
- Natural vegetation will be maintained as a natural buffer.
- There will be no exterior lighting at the site (cameras will be remotely monitoring).
- Life span of solar (glass) panels is 20 years. Surety will be put in place.
- Routine mowing and maintenance of grass will be done.
- Interconnection with National grid facility
- Fire prevention will be provided by the Fire Department in Rutland if so requested.
- Glare of panels will be absorbed by the sun’s rays (92-98% = 9% reflection will absorb energy to transfer into energy.
- Comments from Quinn Engineering we responded to last night (reference: Quinn report of 3/23/12).
- Maintenance (cleaning) will be done especially in the winter if need be.’
- Police would be contacted if any acts of vandalism occurred.
- All means of egress will be locked and signage will be minimal (on the gate).
- Solutions used to clean panels are bio degradable (Windex like product).
- Winter cleaning by hand (soft brush at the most will be used. Minimal cleaning should occur as the panels heat up and essentially will clean themselves.
- Fire: Foam product would be used to extinguish if need be will be located in building only.
- Process was explained regarding inverters and transformers (ground mounted installation much better).
- Recycling of panels if needed: Mr. Fauke assured that nothing would be disposed of on the site. Some replacement panels only will be stored on site. Panels will be monitored at the inverter level.
- Woodland areas: Before installation some regrading may need to be done.
Comments:
Kevin Quinn: Mainly technical issues. Mr. Quinn had a long discussion with applicant and is in agreement on most items. He does not see any obstacles at this point.
Public comments:
Joan Cummings: What advantage is there to the town? Is it productive and tax generating? Will property be no burden to the town? Will company be making some payment to the town? Ms. Cummings reference Boy Scouts Solar Project and stated that proposed area might offer credits to the residents.
The Board informed her that, to date, they have received no application.
Mrs. Cummings expressed concern about how this would affect property value and also asked what would happen at the 20 year expiration?
Mr. Fauke assured her that there would be no impact on water, sewer, etc. Natural vegetation will remain. Town will have surety or bond in place for removal of panels (if need be in 20 years). The project is owned in fee (fee ownership).
Mr. Abalo stated that anything above ground would be removed.
Kate Brush: RE: Level of noise: Asked if there would be a buzzing or humming noise.
She also expressed concerns regarding children safety, runoff water, toxins, distance, Glenwood Road (construction running havoc with the road). Who would be responsible for fixing it?
Can residents petition to receive money?
Response: Chain link fence will be in place (Mass PV) and a sign with phone number will be listed.
Residents cannot petition to receive lower electric bill.
Mr. Abalo: Stated that he would like to break ground in July and construction duration would be 4 months. Site would be ready to go before year end.
He would like to start the project as soon as possible. They went to Con Com last week and have met all Planning Board requirements. Surety and issues with engineer will be resolved before we get the building permit.
Board will await final assurance from Quinn Engineering that all technical issues have been addressed.
There being no further discussions, Dick moved to close the hearing at 8:40pm, Addison 2nd, all in favor
Respectfully submitted
Susan Ducharme
Secretary
SD/abm
Addendum: List of conditions need to be done at the next Planning Board Meeting on 4/10/12.
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