BERNARDSTON — A 17-acre solar farm has been approved for construction in the field on the west side of Route 5 in central Bernardston.
An exact date for construction to begin has not been announced. But Conservation Commission Chairman Bill Meese, who has been involved throughout the town’s review of the plan, expected work to begin this summer.
Town oversight of the project will continue. Landscaping requirements, which will address concerns over the installation’s appearance, have not yet been finalized, Planning Board Chairwoman Chris Wysk said. Previously the Planning Board discussed screening the solar panels from view with plantings.
The town’s review of the project, which began in August, was characterized mostly by the Conservation Commission’s concerns over whether the installation would worsen the flooding problem in Cushman Park, downslope from the site. Also, several residents complained repeatedly at Town Hall meetings that the installation would detract from the appearance of central Bernardston.
Town approval was granted in November, in an effort to honor the developer’s deadline to apply to a state financial incentive program. The approval was then revoked in December, on advice from the town’s legal counsel, and the hearing was re-opened.
“It was a very nebulous thing we were asked to approve in November,” Conservation Commission Chairman Meese said in January, after starting round two of the hearing. “We were not technically in a position to approve it, in spite of what they wanted.”
The Conservation Commission ultimately approved the project Feb. 19.
Contact Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ex 261.