HADLEY — A portion of a 60-acre hayfield between Rocky Hill Road and North Maple Street could become a site for a large-scale, dual-use photovoltaic system, though town planners are asking state officials to not allow an accompanying energy storage system.
Thomas Reidy, an attorney with Bacon Wilson, PC of Amherst, told the Planning Board Tuesday that the agrivoltaic system being proposed for the site by Amherst developer Barry Roberts, featuring an interconnection with Eversource, is 500 or more kilowatts.
But before Roberts gets the Department of Environmental Resources to authorize the project, planners will request that, due to being situated over aquifers, the project be excluded from the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target, or SMART program. That state law requires co-located energy storage systems with large-scale solar projects.
Reidy explained that state law requires a “good cause exception” to not have a battery storage system with any solar array 500 or more kilowatts.
Hadley bylaws prohibit battery storage systems over the town’s aquifers.
The board voted unanimously in support of sending a letter to the state.
“The letter seems consistent with our stand on battery storage not being in the aquifer, so I see no objection” said board member Joseph Zgrodnik.
The site is next to undeveloped land behind the Home Depot store that several years ago was proposed for the Five College Library Annex, a building that was eventually constructed in Hatfield.
Other business
Also on Tuesday, the board:
- advised Reidy that town counsel Mead, Talerman & Costa will be consulted to determine whether The Residences, extended stay accommodations at 401 Russell St., the former Howard Johnson hotel, meets town zoning or is eligible for a finding from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- was presented with plans for a new restaurant, Shinkaju Sushi Bar, to be located at 173 Russell St., sharing a building with Valley Bike & Ski Werks. That space was occupied by Hillside Pizza for 15 years before its closing in February 2024. Before planners can approve the signs for the business, though, they must also agree to a change in use due to the building’s location in a town aquifer. Panning Board Chairman Maksimoski said he expected both approvals to be “just a formality.”
- scheduled a home occupation special permit public hearing for Sept. 2 at 6:45 p.m. for a law office run by Deb Robes, to operate from 136 Middle St.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
