Sharon Voters OK Pursuing Solar Project For Former Landfill

Sharon's former landfill moved closer to hosting a utility-scale solar project Monday night.

Voters at the special town meeting authorized selectmen to petition the Legislature and the state to change the Mountain Street site's allowed use to general municipal.

Public Works Superintendent Eric Hooper said the site had been restricted to active and passive recreation, and open space, since the landfill closed in 1993.

Changing the use will allow selectmen to pursue a lease and an energy purchase agreement for a solar project there, Hooper said.

The project would be built on ballasts to not disturb the landfill cap, he said.

"We don't intend to change the meadow nature of the landfill in any way," he said.

Selectmen Chairman Walter "Joe" Roach said the Energy Advisory Committee brought the solar project idea to his board.

"As far as the board is concerned, we believe it's a win-win," Roach said.

"It's excellent for the environment. There's no noise and no traffic."

Voters also made the fall special town meeting at the selectmen's discretion, although registered voters could still petition for one.

"If there wasn't something pressing, should we go through the expense of a town meeting?" Selectman Richard Powell asked.

Monday night's session cost Sharon about $6,200, he said.