Solar Farm Vote May Come Next Week

The selectmen, acting as light commissioners, may vote on a proposal for a solar farm, on Branch Street as early as Wednesday.

The proposal, located at the former Compo Chemicals property at 240 Branch St, has drawn concerns from abutters and local residents, who expressed worries about the impact of the facility last month.

On Wednesday, director of the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department,Gary Babin attempted to addressed many of those concerns during a workshop.

Summarizing the answers for over 100 questions submitted by residents, including some received only hours before Wednesday’s meeting, Babin said many of the concerns, including mainly those about environmental, health, noise, and lights, would be addressed the power-purchase agreement between the town and the developer of the project, IRG Mansfield.

In the answers provided by the developers, it was noted that the project was safe, with little impact. In addition, there will be no extensive lighting in the facility and the inverters will be located internal to the site approximately 200 ft. away from the property lines to deal with noise.

“Does it have a significant impact? No. Does it have a positive impact? yes,” Babin said.

According to Babin, the project would have some saving for the town, The financial savings is estimated to be about $2 million over 25 years.

Whether a vote happens next week or not depends on if the concerns of some of the selectmen are addressed. Selectman Olivier Kozlowski said he would like to know, for better or worse, what else could go on the property.

“We have a situation where we really have a residential area that is going to be impacted by this. If this doesn’t go here, what could go here?” Kozlowski asked.

Selectman George Dentino said he wanted more time to look at the positives and the negatives of the deal while selectman Frank Delvecchio requested a more refined financial impact analysis.

The selectmen, as light commissioners, are scheduled to meet again on Dec. 10.