ATHOL — Representatives for Sunpin Solar Development, LLC presented redesigned plans for the 5.588 megawatt ground-mounted solar array on property located off Conant Road at the Board of Planning and Community Development meeting on Wednesday. Drew Vardakis of Wood PLC said he worked with Tighe & Bond, peer review engineers hired by the town, to address concerns vocalized by abutters at the April hearing.
Regarding storm water issues, he said the roadway, a potential source for runoff, was shortened so there would be fewer problems with maintaining it, and to reduce visual impact. Drainage basins were added to the stormwater design based on existing topography and where the roadway was placed. He said they are still fine-tuning details with Tighe & Bond and that the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan has been submitted to the board.
The solar array and roadway designs remained unchanged and the town checklist for erosion control is being followed. Regarding parking, Vardakis said there are no full-time parking requirements because there is no full-time staff. There would be only a couple of visits a year for maintenance needs. He said the roadway is designed for a fire truck to be able to turn around, and snow would be moved and piled off to the side.
Board chair David Small said he would like to see more native plantings added to the entry way and access road “so that it bleeds into the landscape.”
Vice chair Aimee Hanson, who recused herself to speak as an abutter, questioned the depth of the water basin near the road. Vardakis said the basins range roughly two to four feet on average, are no more than three feet in depth, and are not designed to hold water. He said there shouldn’t be standing water in the design.
Hanson was also concerned about logging trucks causing traffic on the road. Vardakis said the route has not been finalized, as sequencing hasn’t been done yet, but he doesn’t anticipate tractor trailers. Forklifts would unload the deliveries. Director of Planning and Community Development Eric Smith said the board will determine how much traffic and wear and tear the heavy trucks are going to damage the road and then notify the public of the findings.
Small said it is the order of conditions for the project to be done during reasonable work hours. Under the conditions of the permit, the town is allowed to send inspectors to the site.
Abutter Veronica Winters asked how far the array is going to be from the road. Vardakis said “well over” the required 80 feet, “closer to 200.” Winters also asked how many catch basins are planned. Samuel Dionne of Sunpin Solar said there will be nine detention ponds around the perimeter.
Conant Road resident Vera Coupal asked if the board was going to send an engineer to look at drainage. Small said that Tighe & Bond will review all engineering calculations and will supervise and monitor the stormwater plan throughout the project.
Abutter Charlie Winters asked how likely it will be for the solar array to achieve 100 percent efficiency. Dionne didn’t have the numbers on hand but said the engineering team is making sure they can produce at least between 75 and 80 percent.
Susan Mondi-Sykes of Conant Road asked how many of the 52 acres will be cut. Vardakis answered he believes it is 20 acres.
The board will be making a decision on the plan documentation and will bring their findings to the next meeting on June 5.