WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute has the go-ahead from the town to install a solar photovoltaic installation on its property.

 

The museum's partner, Framingham-based Ameresco, Inc., was before the Conservation Commission last week to explain the project and get its approval to proceed without a Notice of Intent, which would have triggered a much more rigorous review.

 

The commission unanimously agreed that the 400-kilowatt, ground-mounted installation will not negatively affect the resource area on the property, specifically an unnamed stream that empties into Christmas Brook.

 

Ameresco project manager Jack Honor told the Con Comm that the installation will not impact the stream but will require work in the buffer zone — specifically the placement of conduit to carry electricity from the solar collection site to the museum.

 

Honor told commissioners that the Clark expects to fill 10 to 15 percent of its electricity needs with solar energy from the solar array.

 

The commission approved the project on the condition that any work done in the wetland be done by hand.

 

"Someone asked today, 'Would you use any construction equipment that might impact, the stream,' and the answer is no," Honor said. "We're not planning run any Bobcats."

 

The only other question before the board at its Thursday meeting dealt with the planned plantings along the recently daylighted stream in the southwest corner of the Spruces property.

 

But, as it turned out, that question did not really need to be asked.

 

"I believe that the planting of native species in a resources area is an exemption that you don't need permission for," Chairman Henry Art told applicant Lauren Stevens of the Hoosic River Watershed Association. "But it's nice that you came."

 

Stevens used the meeting as an opportunity to tell the commission about HooRWA's plans for the site and get feedback from Art, a professor of environmental studies and biology at Williams College, about what native plants will work on the site.

 

Stevens explained that the planting project, which earlier this year received Community Preservation Act funds at annual town meeting, has a couple of purposes.

 

"HooRWA is interested in doing whatever it can to help the Hoosic River maintain its cold water character," Stevens said, alluding to the fact the plantings will shade water in the stream that empties into the Hoosic to the north. "Plus, we think we can make the site quite attractive by putting native plantings along there."

 

The association hopes to not only beautify the site but also make it more attractive to birds and other wildlife, Stevens said.

 

HooRWA is working with North Branch Nursery to obtain planting stock, which will be planted in the fall by Williams College freshmen as part of an annual service project.

 

Volunteer labor was also on the mind of the Con Comm last Thursday as Commissioner Robert Hatton held a pre-meeting workshop for residents interested in helping to maintain town-owned hiking trails.

 

Five people expressed an interest in serving in that capacity. Hatton talked for about 25 minutes in front of Town Hall about the routine maintenance that needs to be done and told the volunteers that he can loan them the tools they'll need to do it.

 

He also stressed that it is not a one-time project but a regular process involving regular attention to the trail network to keep it free of downed trees and keep anti-erosion water bars free from debris.

 

"I think there will be a few maintainers out there year round," Hatton said.

 

Community Development Director Andrew Groff said that anyone interested in serving on the project should contact his office at Town Hall.

 

Hiking trails and CPA funds intersected in another topic before the commission on Thursday.

 

Art told his colleagues that work on a unified trail network at Stone Hill is "way ahead of schedule."

 

Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation asked for and received Community Preservation Act funding for a project to make more accessible a network of trails on property owned by the Clark, Williams College, the Buxton School, the Pine Cobble School and the town, Art said.

 

The Clark has issued a new trail guide, and the trails have been freshly blazed in colors coordinated with the trail map, Art said.

 

"We're in the process of having small signs where the trails come together, showing how people can make connections and the distances to landmarks," he said. "Kiosks have been manufactured and will be delivered to the town on [July 18].

 

"By the first of August, everything should be in place and, hopefully, people won't be as lost as they have been in the past … but I've always thought being lost on Stone Hill is not an unpleasant experience."