The meeting commenced with a discussion on the town’s recent experiences with solar array installations. A board member pointed out the quiet period experienced in Acushnet recently, noting that numerous solar projects had previously raised concerns about their legitimacy. This process involves ensuring compliance with specific requirements to maintain the projects’ viability. The board member expressed a personal sentiment regarding the impact of these installations, sharing an anecdote about losing golf balls in areas now occupied by solar arrays.

The conversation then moved to updates from the Master Plan Committee (MPC). The Town Planner, Victoria Alaro, provided insights into the committee’s progress, mentioning a workshop held on January 9. This workshop aimed to introduce the project timeline and review key areas such as housing, land use, and economic development in Acushnet. The MPC plans to convene monthly on the second Thursday, with the next discovery workshop scheduled for January 29 at the library. The planner emphasized the committee’s objective to engage the community throughout the planning process and stressed the importance of visual aids, like maps, to evaluate the potential impacts of nearby developments, such as the MBTA train station.

A topic of particular interest was Acushnet’s status as an adjacent community to a rail station, which may impose zoning adjustments despite its distance. Victoria clarified that although Acushnet is not within a half-mile radius of the station, it still faces potential zoning requirements due to its proximity. The board expressed a keen interest in understanding these obligations, with the planner committing to further research and drawing comparisons with other municipalities facing similar circumstances.

The board also addressed the Complete Streets initiative, with Victoria reporting her submission of a letter of intent to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to adopt a Complete Streets policy. This move positions Acushnet to apply for Tier 2 funding to develop a prioritization plan targeting transportation improvements, such as enhancing sidewalks and intersections. The board showed unanimous support for this initiative, recognizing its potential to improve local infrastructure and accessibility.

Additionally, the board discussed the potential use of District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) funds to create user-friendly permitting guides for developers. These guides aim to streamline the application process and provide clear instructions, drawing inspiration from successful implementations in other communities like Middleborough. The members underscored the importance of updating these resources regularly to reflect procedural and staffing changes.

Alongside these discussions, the board handled various zoning and land-use matters. Notably, they reviewed an approval not required for a plan on Middle Road, involving a 272-acre parcel where the owner intends to retain an existing residence while selling the remaining property. The proposed division met all dimensional requirements, including setbacks and upland area for zoning compliance. The board unanimously approved the plan following a discussion about easements affecting the property.

The meeting also covered another approval not required for a retreat lot on Cushing Lane. The proposal involved creating an additional lot under the retreat bylaw, with the necessary dimensional standards in place. The board engaged in discussions about soil types and site conditions, ultimately approving the plan after clarifications from the representative.