===PAGE 1=== TOWN OF L UNENBURG Office of the Planning Board Gregory Bittner, Chair Tel: (978) 582-4147, ext 5 Matthew Allison, Vice Chair Fax: (978) 582-4353 Kenneth Chenis, Clerk 960 Massachusetts Avenue David Prokowiew, Mbr. Lunenburg, MA 01462 Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Mbr. Adam R. Burney Land Use Director Minutes Public Hearing 994 Northfield Road August 28, 2017 Meeting Posted: Yes Place: Town Hall, 17 Main Street, Lunenburg, MA Time: 7:25 PM Present: Gregory Bittner, Matthew Allison, Kenneth Chenis, David Prokowiew, Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Adam R. Burney The Hearing was to hear and discuss an application for a Special Permit and Site Plan Approval under Sections 4.15. and 8.4. of the Protective Bylaw of the Town of Lunenburg for construction of a 6MW large -scale ground-mounted photovoltaic installation at 994 Northfield Road (Map 037, Parcel 0013). The Applicant, 994 Northfield Road, LLC, William Gustus, was represented by Robert Oliva, David E. Ross Associates; Attorney Robert Bowen; Ethan Gyles, PE, Development Manager, Nexamp; and Alan Clapp, PE, Development Director, Nexamp. The property is split into two lots; 1A (90.55 acres) and 1B (122.61 acres). T he solar installation will sit on Lot 1A. The majority of the panels will sit on g rade. The site will be cleared and grubbed, and then revegetated with meadow vegetation. It will be mowed approximately twice yearly to preclude the vegetation interfering with the panels. The Applicant has filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Conservation Commission for construction. There is an isolated wetland at the proposed access which would require a wetland crossing. This would cr eate a third curb cut so the Applicant is proposing to utilize the current golf course access instead. The Plan will be amended to address the August 25, 2017 review comments of Graves Engineering, Inc. (GEI). There will be a reduction in overall flow post-construction. The entire site will be fenced. Runoff has been addressed. There will be underground electricity on the site out to overhead on the street poles. The site is heavily wooded and the Applicant is relying on natural vegetation on the west and south perimeters. There is a strip of natural vegetation on the east side at the golf course. Additional screening may be needed at the front of the site on the Northfield Road side. M. Jeffreys felt that in its submittal, the Applicant had not complied with Protective Bylaw of the Town of Lunenburg, §4.15. Solar Energy Systems, §§4.15.4.12. Financial Surety. A. Clapp responded that the decommissioning estimate is usually generated by the decommissioning site contractor. M. Jeffreys also inquired as to the financial contribution to the Town. A. Clapp noted that a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxe s) Plan will be negotiated with the Board of Selectmen. A. Burney noted the Applicant will need a stormwater special permit from the Planning Board. M. Jeffreys inquired as to what areas will be graded and to what extent . A. Clapp noted that the maximum slope the c ontractor can build at for the racking is 20%. There are three small areas that will need to get flattened from 25%; two to the north of the sit e and one to the southwest. The panels meet both the 200 foot property line setback and 200 foot strip of vegetation under the Bylaw. K. Chenis inquired if the panels would be visible from Northfield Road; R. Oliva did not believe so. Board members inquired if the Fire Department had the foam and training to put out a fire at a solar field. In house training wo uld be provided to the Fire Department. G. Bittner noted the Board may ask for both summer and winter sight line representations under §§4.15.4.8.U. As Northfield Road is designated a Scenic Road, K. Che nis wanted to make sure there is adequate buffering and vegetation at the property lines to ensure the panels will not be seen from Northfield Road or by abutters. ===PAGE 2=== Minutes 08.28.17 994 Northfield Road Public Hearing Page 2 Gail Stewart, 252 New West Townsend Road - was concerned with long term effects and noted a handout from Massachusetts Department of Energy Re sources, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center dated June 2015, subject: Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System. Ron Smith, 1026 Northfield Road- he is not an opponent, but he wants more permanent buffering, e.g., evergreens, not seasonal buffering. He went on to note that the current proposed access would require the elimination of two to three large trees. He opined that the water issue could not be alleviated and that it’s been there for years. R. Oliva noted that the project will not worsen any drainage. Bill Gustus, 994 Northfield Road- noted that this will provide long term financial security for the golf course over the next 20-30 years. G. Bittner inquired how close to the panels the trees could be planted without affecting their output. E. Gyles responded that the shade is just outside the panels and to move the trees in closer would encroach on the panels and cause a reduction in number of panels. B. Gustus noted that Chris Clark, Executive VP for NEXAMP and Harald Scheid, Regional Asse ssor are working on numbers for the PILOT Plan to bring forth to the Board of Selectmen. E. Gyles inquired as to what the Board would con sider adequate documentation for the financial surety. The Board has the understanding that the Town has a solar advisor and is looking for insight and clarification. A. Burney will inquire. Some of the Board members are asking for the financial sur ety up front. A. Burney noted to the Board that the financial surety is to fund the facility if it needs to be removed ; therefore , he is unsure what the purpose would be to provide the financial surety up front. §§4.15.4.12. Financial Surety, does not specify a timeframe. Jeff Walsh, GEI, noted his August 25, 2017 review letter. He went on to note that he can help the Board estimate the dollar value. He can look at the civil side, e.g., area of disturbance he would expect for removal , value of labor at today’s rate, calculated inflation costs in 10-20 years. He stated a lot of thought went into the engineering of this project. M. Allison inquired as to the typical increase of stormwater flow going from 35 acres of thick woods to open area. J. Wals h noted it varies with the type of soil cover. A. Burney summarized the additional information the Board is looking for from the Applicant:  Harder number on the cost of removal.  An improved/alternate proposal for the surety that doesn’t take ten years.  Proposal to increase the buffering along the south and west property lines and to ensure the panels can’t be seen from Northfield Road.  Additional community engagement with the direct abutters and visual simulations from some of the visually abutting residences. A. Burney will research the following:  Speak with the Fire Chief as to a foam tanker.  Find out who is negotiating the PILOT.  Speak with UNITIL as to the interconnection impact on the community from this proposal.  Check to see if the Town has a solar advisor. The Applicant requested a continuance to September 25, 2017. K. Chenis, Motion to continue the Hearing to September 25, 6:30 PM, Second, D. Prokowiew, all aye. Hearing recessed 9:30 PM Documents used at meeting: Special Permit and Site Plan Approval Application Minutes/public hearings 2017/994 Northfield Road_08.28.17