BOS chair reacts to mailing criticizing solar farm

Selectmen Chairman John Connolly reacted strongly Tuesday night to a mailing sent to residents alleging that selectmen and Town Administrator Bill Friel are having work conducted on a solar energy facility at the site of the former Pine Street landfill by non-licensed electricians and without an electrical permit.

The postcard depicts a ticking clock on the front and a burning fire on the back with the headline, “Is there a time bomb being built in Canton?” The mailing was sent by CantonSolarExposed.com in conjunction with IBEW Local 103.

The mailing says the town of Canton has allowed construction to begin on a 5.7 Megawatt solar energy facility on a closed capped landfill and is “allowing the installation of electrical apparatus by non-licensed electricians in direct violation of Massachusetts law.”

The group also claims that selectmen have “refused to act” despite receiving complaints from “several dozen Canton residents” and that the “entire project is now under investigation by the commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The mailing urges residents to call selectmen and Friel and demand that they require all contractors performing work to adhere to state laws. The mailing ends with the question: “Ask William Friel what happens if the system is installed improperly on top of all that methane?”

Connolly, speaking on behalf of selectmen, called the mailing out of line and full of numerous false allegations.

“Canton has indeed paid attention to every detail despite the unfounded allegations of the IBEW, including that the Canton landfill solar project has proceeded through a rigorous land use and Conservation Commission [review] as well as four public meetings with selectmen,” Connolly said. “The project has received approval of the Canton Finance Committee and unanimous approval at town meeting, open to all residents.”

Connolly said the project is properly zoned and has been granted a post-closure use permit by the state Department of Environmental Protection for the solar array. The large solar farm is being constructed by a private developer and is not a town project. Connolly said the project is properly permitted with both building and electrical permits.

He denied that the project is under investigation and said it is in compliance with all state laws, with the work being performed by state-licensed electricians. The DEP, working through a qualified engineering firm, is closely monitoring the project as it relates to landfill gas regulations. Connolly noted that the project has not had a single safety-related issue to date.

Connolly said all residents should consider the motivation of the IBEW. “We believe their involvement is solely motivated by money and union jobs,” he said, “and not as a result of any real concern for the safety of any Canton resident.”

In other news, selectmen interviewed three of the four finalists for the position of recreation director. A fourth applicant will be interviewed at the board’s next meeting on March 20.

Among those interviewed were Canton resident Janet Mcguire, a youth sports coach and a former director of club sports at Bridgewater State University; Rodger Riberio, a longtime recreation superintendent from Delray Beach, Florida; and Robert McGann, a Boston recreation administrator with 30 years of experience. All three were impressed with Canton’s recreational facilities, and all expressed a desire to make better use of technology to spur communication and promote signups.

In other action Tuesday night, the board voted on some of the proposed town meeting articles. Selectmen voted 3-1-1 in support of the local meals tax increase — a proposal that deadlocked at last year’s town meeting. Connolly, Sal Salvatori, and Victor Del Vecchio supported the measure, and Bob Burr opposed it. Avril Elkort said she was undecided.

Selectmen voted against accepting Historical Way as a town road, citing the need for additional repairs. Selectmen also agreed to set 7 p.m. as the starting time for all town meeting sessions beginning in 2013.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Mar 8 2012. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.