Adams Briefs: Solar Project At Landfill Finally Under Construction
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The landfill, seen in this file photo, is finally getting a solar array. |
ADAMS, Mass. — Construction on a 1.1 megawatt solar array at the former Adams landfill is finally under way.
The array was stalled since 2011 while Tecta Solar worked out an interconnection agreement with National Grid.
Once that was solved, it was again delayed because the company redesigned the array to have a smaller footprint and needed to again submit the design to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
On Wednesday, Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said that project has officially begun construction with completion expected in August. The array will power many town buildings.
"The town should be looking at some significant solar savings," Butler said.
While that construction is beginning, Butler said the construction of infrastructure at the Greylock Glen is wrapping up. The town embarked the first phase of a $4.3 million project to install utilities up Gould Road to the Glen last year with a $2 million allocation from the state's supplemental budget bill.
Now, town officials are working on creating a punch list for workers to finish off that project.
Austin Design has completed an estimate on the library and the cost estimates have come in below expected. Butler said the estimates are less than $800,000, making the project "more feasible than we thought."
Director of Community Development Donna Cesan also reported that the town is nearing the end of the 2011 Community Development Block Grant funds, which were used to rehabilitate 16 housing units and create a parking lot on Kearns Lane.
So far, the town has spent $708,000 of the $822,000 allocation. The parking lot project has been completed and eight units have been rehabilitated. Five other housing units are nearing completion and three others are under construction, Cesan said.
Butler said the town is currently vying for funding from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to help investigate and remediate brownfields projects. The planning group has recently been awarded a grant to help with contaminated properties.
The town is also discussing new zoning bylaws to regulate medical marijuana, solar, wind and backyard poultry. Butler said the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Community Development recently met to hash out the details and new laws are expected to be crafted.
On Sunday, traffic is expected to be delayed while runners in the Steel Rail Half Marathon cross Park Street. The race kicks off from the Berkshire Mall to the Adams Visitors Center, where a reception will be held. The roads will remain open but congestion is expected.
"We're going to be looking at a few thousand people in our downtown," Butler said. "This is a big event."
The Selectmen also read a proclamation Wednesday wishing Sophie Michalski a happy birthday. Michalski is now 100 years old and spent the majority of her life in Adams.
Tags: CDBG, poultry, solar array,
