03/08/2021 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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6 Board of Selectmen Minutes March 8, 2021 APPOINTMENTS& HEARINGS Presentation and Discussion of Solar Energy Overlay District Town Meeting Warrant Petition Articles: William Haney, Robert Mills, Esq.: Robert F. Mills, Esquire was present to respectfully review and discuss the petition articles submitted for inclusion on the May 2021 Annual Town Meeting warrant relative to the establishment of a proposed Solar Energy System Overlay District. Site maps consisting of existing conditions from 2014 to 2021 were submitted in addition to copies of the petitions and amendments thereof. Attorney Mills described the site as approximately 40 acres located off of Route 151 to the rear of the existing funeral home southward as shown on the series of maps associated to the project proposal. It was disclosed notification was submitted to 32 abutters residing in proximity to the largest lot comprised of 24 acres. This is a privately owned site, and it is anticipated with Town Meeting approval, the Planning Board would fully vet at least 95% of the language amendments proposed to convert the properties into the Solar Overlay District. The petitioner William Haney has proposed six different plans over they years for various mixed-use commercial, residential and 40B proposals, but has preference to develop the site for solar energy purposes. The southern parcels are described as R-5, with C-2 zoning districts in the northern sections. Approximately ten acres of the site was a former gravel pit. Most of the vegetation in the area of review is comprised of scrub and pitch pine. If the bylaw was to pass at Town Meeting 25 of the 40 acres would be usable for solar energy purposes. The sand pit would be used and it is projected that 12 acres more or less would be clear- cut for this project. This would create a significant buffer on all four sides of the property. The Director of the Development for the solar energy project indicated solar energy systems are not unique to surrounding communities. Many are developed on former landfills and sand pits, ideal and most common locations. The Town of Bourne was noted to have (3) solar energy systems encompassing 20-40 acres. Benefits to a local community include payment of lieu of taxes or under a pilot for reductions in kilowatt hours. There are formulas to calculate the tax benefit that can bring millions of dollars to a community over the course of a project generally during a 20-year term. A municipality is able to opt into the project at no cost.