05/02/2022 Annual Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. Utility Connections: Within setback distances and except where soil conditions, location, property shape, and topography of the site or requirements of the utility provider prevent it, all utility connections from grid-intertie solar energy systems shall be placed underground. Electrical transformers for utility interconnections may be above ground if required by the utility provider. 6. Vegetation Management: All land associated with the ground -mounted solar energy system shall be covered and grown in natural vegetation. The height of vegetation must be managed by regular mowing or grazing so as to minimize the amount and height of combustible material available in case of fire. Herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers shall not be used to manage vegetation. To the greatest extent practicable, a diversity of plant species shall be used, with preference give to species that are native to New England. Use of plants identified by the most recent copy of the "Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List" maintained by the Massachusetts department of Agricultural Resources is prohibited. Management of all vegetated areas shall be maintained throughout the duration of the solar energy system's installation through mechanical means without the use of chemical herbicides. 7. Noise Generation: Noise generated by ground -mounted solar energy systems and associated equipment and machinery shall conform to applicable state and local noise regulations, including the DEP's Division of Air Quality Noise Regulations, 310 CMR 7.10. 8. Fencing: Fencing around solar arrays shall provide a minimum 6" clearance between the fence bottom and the ground to allow passage of small wildlife. The Planning Board shall require resident style fencing where necessary to screen the solar energy systems year round from adjacent residences. 9. Land Clearing and Soil Erosion: Clearing of natural vegetation and topsoil shall be limited to what is necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of the ground -mounted solar energy system. No topsoil removed during construction shall be exported from the site. 10. Erosion Control and Stormwater: Erosion Control and Stormwater Management notation shall be included to show that adequate provisions against erosion and adverse impacts of runoff are appropriately mitigated. 11. Emergency Services: The ground -mounted solar energy system owner or operator shall provide a copy of the project summary, electrical schematic, and site plan to the Mashpee Fire Department and any other neighboring Fire Department upon request. Upon request the owner or operator shall cooperate with local emergency services in developing an emergency response plan. All means of shutting down the solar energy system shall be clearly marked. The owner or operator shall identify a responsible person for public inquiries throughout the life of the installation. Submitted by Petition Explanation: This section promotes the creation of new Solar Energy Systems Overlay District for small, medium and large- scale, ground -mounted solar energy systems on land with the Overlay District currently zoned R-5 and C-2 by providing standards for the placement, design, construction, operation, monitoring, modification and removal of such installations that address public safety, minimize impacts on scenic, natural and historic resources and for providing adequate financial assurance for the eventual decommissioning of such installation. The Board of Selectmen will make a recommendation at Town Meeting of Article 34 by a vote of 5-0 The Finance Committee will make a recommendation at Town Meeting of Article 34 by a vote of 6-1 At its meeting April 6, 2022, the Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Article 34 Motion Made By Robert Mills: I move the Town vote to approve Article 34 as printed in the warrant. Motion to indefinitely postponed passes at 9:58 PM Article 35 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-law as follows: Add a new sub -Section to any Solar Energy System Overlay District zoning bylaw by adding to the Required Performance Standards for Small, Medium and Large Scale Solar Energy Systems the following: 174-45.7 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS OVERLAY DISTRICT 27