DALTON, Mass. — The easement for Warren Farm Solar LLC was approved during the Select Board meeting Monday night. 

 

Citizens Energy, a non-profit energy company, is planning a 13-acre solar farm off Bridle Road. 

 

An easement was agreed upon following several negotiations between the town and Citizens Energy's lawyers, Town Manager Tom Hutcheson said. Department of Public Works Edward Hall and everyone involved with the special permit was also involved in the agreement and approved of it. 

 

The easement grants the nonprofit unobstructed access between Bridle Road and the farm's landfill, located off Park Street Extension, outside of the transfer station's hours for vehicle and pedestrian access. 

 

The town will be getting a payment in lieu of taxes for the duration of the project that will be worked out later. Hutcheson said he expects that at that time the town can work out  remuneration "as a point in the town's favor."  

 

The board was unsatisfied with the lack of remuneration for a real estate transaction. Select Board Chair Joseph Diver expressed that in the future, the board should be able to review contracts in an executive session

 

"This has been a concern of mine for a while, when we get into contracts I think we should have a board review of the contract and the details of that agreement before it comes to open session," Diver said. 

 

"I'm gonna be a no vote on this tonight because I don't like the structure. I don't like the lack of details around it, but that's my opinion."

 

The easement contract includes a nominal fee of $1 that seemed agreeable because the nonprofit Citizens Energy will also be responsible for repairing and maintaining the road, Hutcheson said. 

 

The concern that Diver expressed having is how will the board explain the $1 nominal fee to town residents.

 

"I will mention that they will be improving the road at their expense and that will benefit the town. I think that was taken into account during the discussions," Hutcheson said. 

 

Select Board member Daniel Esko asked what the standard amount for remuneration is, which Hutcheson said he is willing to look into.

 

"We haven't typically always had any remuneration or associated with easements of this sort. I do think that we would maintain and improve the road at our expense," Citizens Solar's Senior Director Emily Byrne said. 

 

Citizens Energy Corp. resurrected its plans to install a solar array on the Warren landfill in December.

 

During the board's last meeting, it declined Citizens' proposal for a solar alternative on-bill credit agreement under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program. More information on the project here. 

 

The company started this project about nine years ago and the entire project was fully permitted back in 2014 but was declared not viable because the electrical grid could not accommodate it. 

 

With recent grid infrastructure upgrades, the project can now be completed. 

 

In other news:

 

The board approved the appointment of the town's new Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Jeff Burch as effective July 20 pending security clearance and pre-employment physical. 

 

The board also approved the appointment of Barbara Kotelnicki as library trustee effective July 18.