PLAINFIELD — The Planning Board didn’t say yes or no to granting a special permit to New Leaf Energy to develop a 23-acre solar array during Wednesday night’s meeting.
But they did say maybe, and made it clear there would be extensive conditions attached to develop the proposed solar array that would deforest 30 acres on a 67-acre site at 66 North Union St.
In a unanimous vote, the five-member board decided to neither allow nor reject offering a special permit to the Lowell-based company. But board members also expressed distrust and skepticism after New Leaf representatives said they will sell the project to an unknown solar contractor before construction even begins.
According to project manager Eric Weinstein, New Leaf Energy only does the preliminary design, and that the project would be sold to a new owner before construction begins.
“We’ve been doing this for 15, 20 years in Massachusetts under the same business model. We’ve actually developed more renewable energy, more solar projects in Massachusetts than any other company,” he said.
This was a huge concern for board members.
“Until we know what the actual construction company is that’s going to build the project, it’s all speculative,” Chair Peter Lapointe said.
Board member Judith Cole said it is like negotiating with a “phantom” who is “not a real person.”
“It’s difficult to do business based on trust when you don’t know who’s sitting on the other side of the table,” said Cole.
Weinstein responded to their concerns saying that anything required of New Leaf will also be required by the long-term owner of the project.
Especially given their skepticism, the board said it is doubly important to lay down specific and comprehensive conditions for the project.
Some of the conditions that were brought up include the ability for the town to do an inspection on the premise after a year of operation, developing a construction schedule, and increasing the gravel pad around the battery storage unit to 20 feet. The board also wants to ensure that the single light on the premise doesn’t face neighbors or contribute to light pollution.
Among other specifics, New Leaf would also need to get input and approval from the fire chief, Board of Health and Conservation Commission.
Proposed solar moratorium falters
Meanwhile, the board is thinking of the bigger picture after a proposed moratorium on applications submitted by more solar developers fell apart. Town officials concluded that a moratorium would need to be ratified in annual Town Meeting, not in a special Town Meeting. Since annual Town Meeting takes place in the spring, it would not help the Planning Board since they are trying to update bylaws before new state regulations kick in on March 1.
Of the 15 or so residents who were in town hall for Wednesday’s meeting was Claude DuPont, who supports the project. He said it would be “hypocritical” for the town to have allowed one solar developer in town in recent years but not allow New Leaf to develop.
“First of all, there’s probably not a person in this room who doesn’t think they’re paying too much in their taxes,” he said. “This would generate and help reduce our taxes, which I’d like to see mine go down.”
DuPont added that the owner of the land, Robert Pytco, “is going to have a pretty good reason to come and sue the town,” if the proposal is shut down.
Abutter to the proposed project, Paige Cerulli, didn’t like the comment, and said she would have every reason to sue the town if the project is developed.
“This is basically destruction of my property, of my property value,” she said.
The subject of the New Leaf solar project will be picked up again by the Planning Board during its next meeting on Dec. 3. But it is hoped that the process, which started in September, will come to an end soon.
Cole said, “We have to have this all done by Christmas.” Christmas was 50 days away when she said that Wednesday night.