CLARKSBURG, Mass. — A solar array company says it's in "nowheresville" in trying to close out its River Road project.
Michael Whigham, vice president of Clean Energy Collective, told the Planning Board on Wednesday that he has not been able to get the town to sign off on the completion of the project nor has he been able to get a clear understanding of what else might need to be done.
"The building inspector has told us we are compliant," he said. "Mr. [Town Administrator Carl] McKinney has indicated that he thinks we're not but won't provide us with anything stating what we're not compliant with ... We're kind of like in nowheresville. ... I just don't know what to do."
Whigham said he didn't think he had been treated well as a property owner, taxpayer and permit-holder and was looking to the Planning Board for direction.
The planners were sympathetic and believed the problem had centered around screening issues. Whigham said that was correct.
"We went through a lot of due diligence on this project, I think it was seven public sessions with a specific task of making sure we allow the project to have a voice with the abuttors," he said. "At some point, a complaint came to us through the building inspector from one of the abuttors and that was really concerns about screening."
Whigham said he had met with Building Inspector B.J. Church and McKinney during the summer about the screening on the western side of the project and believed they had arrived at an acceptable solution.
"At that point in time there was no statement that we were not in compliance," he said. "We really wanted to be very specific about that."
Town officials had suggested a new row of trees but those would have interfered with the solar panels, he said. The compromise was to install 200 feet of slats in the fencing and replace some trees, which was completed by October.
Whigham said when he then asked that the permit be closed, "that's when it kind of, to be frank, it went sideways in my opinion."
He said Church declined to sign off on the building card, referring him to McKinney. Whigham said he has repeatedly asked if the project is non-compliant. He believes that Clean Energy is being forced to deal with the unhappy abuttors despite having documentation showing it has fulfilled the requirements of the permit.
Whigham agreed with the planners that the area in question did look somewhat barren but added that stumps had been left there to grow and would fill in in the future.
Of the three planners at the meeting, only Audry Matys was on the board when the project went through the permitting process. Erin Scott and Gregory Vigna were elected last year. They said they would get in touch with Church and McKinney to clarify the issue.
In other business, the board held off on approval for a perimeter plan for A.J. Randall, wanting to confirm with town counsel. The area is projected to be used for an agricultural solar array. Matthew Parlon, a project development analyst with solar developer Blue Wave, and the company's attorney, Thomas Reidy, were in attendance with Randall.
Since the submission occurred at a time there was no solar bylaw, Reidy said, "three years from your endorsement, you're frozen under that zoning bylaw as far as use goes."
Randall and Blue Wave have appeared before the Selectmen and at last week's special town meeting to explain the use of agricultural solar projects and how they are being promoted by the state's state Department of Agricultural Resources. Randall is hoping to use the solar leases to help him in starting his farm on Daniels Road. Parlon said the hold would allow Blue Wave to begin conversations with Randall's neighbors and the town.
The boundary plan was routine but the planners hesitated in signing off on it because of the circumstances. They agreed to meet with Blue Wave representatives next Wednesday once they were advised by counsel.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Dalton Planning Board OKs Gravel Company Permit
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board approved the renewal of Nichols Sand and Gravel's special permit for earth removal.
The company, located at 190 Cleveland Road, operates a gravel pit there.
The hours of operation will remain 7 to 4 p.m. The commission approved owner Paul Nichols' request to allow trucks to depart the property in either direction.
Nichols has to apply for renewal of the special permit every year. The previous permit required the truck to exit the property to the right.
It makes more sense to go left if truck drivers have to go to the Pittsfield area, Nichols said. He has talked to the residents in the area and they are agreeable to the change.
Former residents requested this stipulation nearly 16 years ago to reduce the number of trucks using the residential street to avoid disturbing the quality of life and neighborhood.
There weren't any residents present during the meeting who expressed concerns regarding this change.
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Bella Kotek Sunday completed a Berkshire County sweep at the State Bowling Championships at Bowlero.
click for more
Emily Holian’s strike to open the 10th frame of the Wildcats’ second game against Worcester Tech all but assured Lee a team title at Bowlero Chicopee.
click for more
Hoosac struggled to get into rhythm on the offensive end until Joey McGovern got the 3-ball working. McGovern finished the game with 21 points including a triple in the fourth quarter that cemented him in the record books. It took him nearly the whole game but he was able to join the 1,000-point... click for more
Pittsfield High's Eliza Mullen won state title and in the giant slalom and slalom, winning the former discipline by 1.6 seconds and the latter by nearly 2.7 seconds.
click for more