DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board tentatively approved Citizens Energy's request for administrative approval of a "minor" change to the site plan during its meeting on Wednesday. 

 

To support the Warren Landfill solar project, Citizens Energy is interested in installing utility poles along the access road to interconnect the project to the electrical grid. 

 

Since the access road is public property, the board requested that the organization obtain written approval from the town attorney, the police chief, fire chief, and highway department. Once that is complete the building inspector can approve the permit. 

 

Board member Donald Davis Jr. advocated for obtained approval from the town attorney in an effort to prevent liability. 

 

"Because now we're putting structures on town-owned property that the town doesn't own, it should go to the attorney to nullify the town of any problems," he said. 

 

When the board approved the nonprofit's site plan and a special permit in April it was unclear how the access was going to work so optionality was included in the site plan, TRC Companies Inc. Senior Director Max Lamson said. 

 

TRC Companies Inc. is representing Citizens Energy for solar permitting matters.

 

One option had been to create its own access road parallel to the town's. At the time, the Select Board had not yet approved the organization's Solar Easement that granted unobstructed access between Bridle Road and the Warren farm's landfill, located off Park Street Extension, outside of the transfer station's hours for vehicle and pedestrian access.

 

The Select Board approved this easement during its meeting in July. Citizens Energy is hoping to start construction before the winter season.

 

More information on the project here.