Proposed by-law will permit solar array
Date: 9/7/2010
Sept. 6, 2010By Chris Maza
Reminder Assistant Editor
LONGMEADOW -- At the upcoming town meeting on Oct. 26, a by-law that would clear the way for the construction of a large scale solar energy array by Western Massachusetts Electric Co. will be proposed, according to Planning Board Chairman Walter Gunn.
The energy system will sit on the site of the old town landfill in the Town Meadows.
"Longmeadow was approached by the electric company and asked us if the land was available for the project," Gunn said.
The Town Meadows, which is zoned for agricultural use only, cannot currently be used for the purpose of creating solar energy, so the Planning Board worked on making the project possible.
"There are about eight permitted uses for the land and solar isn't one of them," Gunn explained. "Therefore, we were asked by the Select Board to come up with a by-law to allow us to do this."
The Planning Board used the Massachusetts model as-of-right by-law to craft its own, modifying it to fit the town's formatting and omitting parts deemed unnecessary or inappropriate, according to Gunn. That by-law needs to be voted on and approved by the town before anything more can be done.
The zoning by-law change applies only to agricultural land and does not address commercial or residential property. According to Gunn, his understanding of the law in Massachusetts is that there are "zero restrictions" regarding the installation of solar panels on a residences, meaning no town has the right to prohibit a homeowner from using solar power.
Gunn added the town would receive considerations in return for the use of the land. On top of the land being leased by the electric company for 20 years and the town getting taxes from the use of the land, Western Mass. Electric will subsidize the electricity for the town's public buildings.
"It's very lucrative in the sense that this is land that has been of zero use to the town that now will be put to good use and it also generates income," Gunn said.
Residents will have the opportunity to hear more about the proposed by-law and voice their opinions at a public hearing at the Oct. 6 Planning Board meeting.
"After the public hearing, the planning board will most likely approve and support the by-law, unless there is a very negative outcry from the public," Gunn said.
