WENDELL — The civil engineering firm and installer behind a proposed 2.79-megawatt battery storage facility for Lockes Village Road attempted to relieve public anxiety surrounding the project during a public hearing on Monday.
Nick Santangelo, of Beals and Thomas Inc., was joined by Nexamp employees Mo Kassamali, Mike Cucchiara and Olivia Sproviero at the Wendell Town Offices on Monday to discuss the special permit application at a public hearing held by the Planning Board.
The room was filled with neighbors and other residents concerned about the health and environmental impacts of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems. A couple years ago, a private citizens’ group led the opposition to a proposal by Lowell-based developer New Leaf Energy to construct a 105-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility at 68 Wendell Depot Road. That proposal was later withdrawn.
The Lockes Village Road project was proposed by resident Jake Doody, and the contractors fielded questions related to noise pollution, safety hazards and efficiency.
“Our goal is to meet ambient level at the property line — that’s consistent with state codes and everything like that,” Santangelo said before elaborating. “If you go in the woods in the middle of the night, it’s not perfectly quiet. You can hear the coyotes, you can hear the crickets, there’s a hum. You know, there’s certain noise, and that can be roughly categorized around 30 decibels.”
But resident Lisa Hoag, who attended the meeting remotely, said she strongly objects to this characterization of the noise.
“We in Wendell treasure silent peace and the sweet sounds of nature,” she wrote in the comments section. “I’ve been walking on a trail next to a BESS. It was very loud and constant, and intrusive. Sound carries in this town. We can hear activities in our neighborhood as far away as the train tracks in Wendell Depot and in Wendell State Forest.”
Kathleen Leonard wrote in the comments section that the battery energy storage system would still create noise pollution and that animals have more sensitive hearing.
The public hearing was ultimately continued to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27.
Santangelo explained the proposal is for a ground-mounted solar array that would require the clearing of 14.5 acres for construction. The hope is to start construction in the summer or fall of 2026, with a connection date in mid-2028.
Kassamali mentioned the manufacturer would be CATL, which is reportedly the largest such company in the world. Santangelo said there will be a sound enclosure consisting of a sound-blocking wall around the battery’s four sides.
Resident Doug Tanner, who attended the meeting remotely, asked about lightning strikes.
“There’s lightning protections all throughout the electrical system, particularly the BESS,” Santangelo replied. “It’s not uncommon that electrical systems are hit by lightning.”
These protections, he explained, include automatic shut-offs and surge arresters. He said it is extremely unlikely that a lightning strike would cause a fire.
“Efficiency of this technology is roughly 90% to 92%, when compared to the sodium-ion battery or zinc-bromine battery — you’re looking at anywhere from between 40% to 60%,” Santangelo added.
Fire Chief Matt O’Donnell mentioned he would like to set up a time to sit down and chat with the company and Doody in advance of the Oct. 27 hearing.
