Solar Farm Would Ruin Bedminster Community, Former Mayor Says

To The Editor:

I have been a resident of Bedminster Township for 40 years and have devoted, over the years, much time and energy on behalf of our community, including a stint as Mayor.  And I live within 200 feet of the proposed KDC Solar/Sanofi/Kirby Farm Industrial Scale Solar Power Plant in Bedminster’s Rural Residential Zone on Environmentally Sensitive Lands.

Tom Lynch, KDC Solar Executive Vice-President, at the October 3, 2013 Land Use Board hearing, informed the public that he has resided in Bedminster since 2007 and served a stint as a volunteer fireman putting him in a position to fully understand the culture of our community, the interests of land holders (not land in weak hands investors) in western Bedminster and having a meaningful understanding of Bedminster’s Master Plan.

Let me be the first to say, based on my residency and community service that Mr. Lynch has no idea about what is good for Bedminster.  To think that he, as a resident, representing KDC Solar with their headquarters in Bedminster, proposes to build an industrial scale solar power plant in Bedminster’s environmentally sensitive rural residential R10 zone district, can purport that such a development is in-line with the master plans for Bedminster is just ludicrous; actually shameful.

Enough about his charade and KDC Solar’s disregard for its headquartered based community.  At the next LUB meeting, now scheduled for 7:00pm, November 14 at the Bedminster School, we will have the pleasure of listening to the testimony of John M. Spinnato, Vice-Presdent, Sanofi N.A. Corporate Social Responsibility explaining why this proposed development is good for the residents of Bedminster.

Should be another interesting fairy tale.

Lastly, there is something that is really bothering me and that is the total lack of any statement from our elected officials about their position on such an important issue in our community.  The KDC Solar application is about busting the R10 zoning in Bedminster.  If this were to happen then you would see the beginning of the end of everything that has been fought for in order to preserve and protect the quality of life that makes Bedminster such an attractive community to call home.  Where are our Mayor, our Township Committee people and where are those elected Republican/Democratic municipal county committee representatives?  They have a stake in this matter; it is their community and we should expect leadership from them.

Joe Cirona