Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/15/2023
WILBRAHAM — With a 4-0 vote, the Wilbraham Planning Board approved a draft decision to allow a one-year extension for the solar project at 285 Three Rivers Rd. Testimony on the timeframe extension was heard at the May 21 Planning Board meeting. Since that time, National Grid provided written documentation regarding the supply chain delays that caused Amp Solar Group to overrun the expected period for construction.
Planning Board Chair John McCloskey had recused himself as he is an abutter to the project.
The public hearing regarding amending the project’s special permit to allow for additional drainage and a change in the electrical equipment pad location had been continued from the board’s May 21 meeting.
Amp Solar Senior Project Manager Lawrence Cook submitted a letter responding to comments from the Fire and Police departments, as well as some of the comments from DPW Director Tonya Capparello. Planning Director Michelle Buck said stormwater information from Amp Solar Group’s engineer had not yet been submitted. Cook explained that the updated calculations had been given to Caparello but the engineer was unavailable for questions prior to the meeting. He went on to say that the only questions remaining were regarding 50- and 100-year storm water levels.
Planning Board member James Rooney said those are the storms that “keep him up at night,” and noted that there had been some water issues at every solar installation in town. Cook told him that he was “more than happy to go belt and braces on anything to do with stormwater,” meaning that he was willing to take extra precautions.
National Grid had sent a letter to the Planning Board with a detailed explanation of its request to relocate the equipment pad, namely that the existing location would require “extensive regrading” of the site. A condition of the project’s special permit was that electricity to the site be run underground to a concrete pad which will house electrical equipment, rather than overhead on poles.
Regarding screening around the pad, Cook said there was a plan for a 6- or 8-foot-tall wooden fence with greenery on the front and sides to “soften it.” Because the equipment is no taller than four feet, he said it should provide complete screening. Fences on the site would be subject to the maintenance plan and would be kept in good condition, he said.
Planning Board member Tracey Plantier said that at one point there was a walking trail planned for the property. Cook noted the property was town land that Amp Solar Group is leasing and said he was amenable to people using the portion of the property outside of the fenced area for passive recreation.
Rooney told Cook that the board did not want to move forward without Capparello’s information that her concerns had been settled, specifically because stormwater issues are complex. A lawyer for Amp Solar Group suggested drafting a decision and signing it once the company had sufficiently addressed Capparello’s concerns. The board agreed to this and scheduled a vote on the special permit amendments at its June 28 meeting.