By GREG VINE
For the Athol Daily News
ROYALSTON — At their most recent meeting, Royalston selectmen voted to issue a request for proposals from those companies that may be interested in constructing a solar array on the site of the town’s former landfill. The town is hoping to find someone to build a facility which will generate 5 megawatts of electricity.
Board Chair Christine Long and member Roland Hamel both voted in favor of issuing the RFP. Board member Deb D’Amico was not in attendance.
Selectmen are hoping the facility will not only generate electricity, but some income for the town, according to Hamel.
In neighboring Winchendon, a solar array constructed on the site of that town’s long-closed landfill is being used to provide electrical power to town-owned buildings, including town hall, the police and fire departments, all schools, and the public works garage. Any power generated by the array, but not consumed by the town, is sold back to National Grid.
Any businesses that want to take on the task of building the array must have their proposal submitted to town by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22. Companies with questions about the details of the RFP must have those questions to town hall no later than January 8. Selectmen will respond to all inquiries no later than January 15.
Selectmen anticipate the array will occupy about 30 acres on the 78-acre site. Since the property is owned by the town, any proposed lease would require the approval of voters at town meeting.
The successful bidder would be required to submit “interconnectivity or other impact studies required by National Grid,” according to language in the RFP. They would also be responsible for “submitting, as/if necessary, filings under the Mass. Wetlands Protection Act and Royalston Zoning Bylaws.”
A solar overlay allowing for the construction of “large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic installations” was passed at town meeting in October 2013.
The successful bidder will be chosen based on “qualifications, project quality, ability to execute, and understanding of the project.”