The solar project, proposed by Pure Sky, became the session’s focal point, with the board and public highlighting various environmental concerns that necessitated the engagement of peer reviewers. The project’s representatives, including their attorney, underscored the importance of such reviewers, particularly for analyzing energy storage solutions and mitigating potential glare. The board deliberated on updates to the site plans, which now featured a shift in battery energy storage providers from Powan to Canadian Solar, prompted by Massachusetts law for projects exceeding 500 kilowatts. This change, alongside revisions for construction logistics and stormwater management, prompted requests from the board for a screen share to better understand the modifications.

Public comments reflected substantial anxiety regarding the project’s ecological footprint. David Cameron, representing Fleetwood Environmental Solutions LLC, emphasized the need for competent peer-review engineers with stormwater design expertise. Eric Backrack and Judith Eisman, representing the Pelham Planning Board, vocalized distress over clear-cutting forest land and the subsequent water runoff control challenges. These inputs, along with other community members’ remarks, underscored the project’s possible detrimental effects on wetlands, wildlife habitats, and the overall environment.

Concerns about the peer review process further permeated the meeting. Tensions arose over the potential for conflicts of interest, especially regarding the selection of the firm WSP, previously associated with the petitioner’s attorney on a different project. Despite assurances from staff and the town attorney that no direct conflict existed, the board engaged in a debate about the propriety and qualifications of the only bidder for the initial peer review. The board ultimately voted to authorize staff to work with a firm on battery storage and glare study aspects of the peer review, contemplating additional RFPs for other project facets.

The board agreed to advertise an RFP for this survey, which would also include assessments for amphibians and bats, emphasizing the importance of documenting threatened or endangered plants on the site.

In addition to the solar project, the board reviewed an application for the construction of a single-family home on a flag lot. The applicant presented a proposal for dark sky compliant lighting. The board scrutinized the lighting plan, seeking to ensure it conformed to the site’s topography without causing light pollution.

Deliberations on this matter extended to reviewing updated site plans, including a new house design and modifications to rain gardens and retaining walls. The civil engineer confirmed these changes would not affect stormwater considerations, and the board discussed conditions pertaining to the special permit application, such as stormwater maintenance and parking on improved surfaces.

The meeting concluded with the board’s decision to continue the public hearing on the solar project to June 6. The administrative aspects, such as the approval of special permit conditions and findings related to dimensional regulations, were also addressed, along with the scheduling of an administrative meeting to acquaint new members with their responsibilities.