Clean Energy Collective LLC of Louisville, Colorado, filed an application for a special permit with the Bernardston Planning Board on June 15, proposing construction of a 23.8-acre “Large Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Facility” on about 80 acres to be leased from the Grover family’s River Maple Farm.
The land is just south of Fox Hill Road on the hillside just west of Antonio’s Pizza Shop. The proposed project would consist of 18,468 solar panels, 3 feet by 6 feet, in a “landscape” alignment. The entire 23.8 acres is to be surrounded by a 9.5-foot high chain link fence.
I see three major problems with this proposed siting:
1. After a heavy storm, the surface runoff from this large area covered with solar panels could possibly overwhelm the Scott Swamp drainage area, exaggerating the present problems in the area, with storm water flowing into other places.
2. Such a project would greatly detract from the natural scenic beauty of our village. To many of us, it would be a major eyesore in center village.
3. Having such a drastic change in the use of the area could also result in a decrease in property values near the facility.
As a matter of public records, the Grovers own a number of parcels of land in Bernardston; the farm parcel itself is 140-plus acres. Surely there is a site where this proposed installation would be more appropriate; it would not be a threat to the already stressed storm water drainage system of center village; and would leave the natural scenic beauty of our village intact.
If you have concerns, please be sure to attend the Planning Board meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.
Mary Lightner
Bernardston