The meeting opened with the board’s unanimous approval of an ANR (Approval Not Required) application involving a land swap between Cheryl Bashista and her brother Roger Bishop. The exchange added approximately 1.8 acres to Cheryl’s property, which borders the Manhan River, while Roger received a smaller parcel to improve access to his land. Board members inquired into the parcels’ compliance with Chapter 61B. Cheryl confirmed the arrangement met acreage requirements, and after clarifications, the board endorsed the application.

Attention then shifted to a solar project proposal on Cook Road, presented by Mark Gerard and managed by Ben, a representative from Savat. The project involved a 17-kilowatt DC ground array situated south of the residence, necessitating the removal of several trees. The proposal exceeded the small solar threshold of 16 kilowatts, prompting a request for relief from existing zoning bylaws. The board reviewed the zoning requirements, noting that the outdated bylaws led to a classification challenge, as the project fell into a gray area between small and medium scale.

Ben explained the necessity for relief, highlighting that the application sought a more lenient classification to avoid requirements for larger projects. The board acknowledged the solar array’s typical nature for a single-family residence but emphasized the importance of public understanding and transparency in the review process. Conservation officials had already assessed the project, finding no issues with conservation regulations, but the board wanted assurance that water runoff and land clearing implications were considered.

The board deliberated on the project’s classification, ultimately supporting a waiver request to categorize it as small-scale, despite its 1-kilowatt excess over the threshold. The proposal’s site plan featured extensive screening to mitigate visibility, a characteristic favorably compared to other installations. The applicant justified the removal of five trees, noting the chosen location optimized sun exposure and accessibility.

Subsequent discussions focused on revising the town’s bylaws concerning solar installations. A consultant reviewed regulations from various communities, suggesting categorizations of installations into small, intermediate, medium, and large scales. Typically, small installations are up to 25 kilowatts, while larger ones exceed 200 kilowatts. Members considered simplifying the process for projects under 250 kilowatts, proposing a building permit suffices rather than extensive reviews. The board noted that typical residential installations average around 10 to 11 kilowatts, and current regulations limit single-family homes to 17 kilowatts due to inverter restrictions.

The board recognized the urgency of addressing bylaw revisions, with upcoming applications slated for January. Organizing a public hearing and preparing a warrant for town meeting were discussed to solidify guidelines before the next proposal round.

In financial matters, the board reviewed a warrant for consulting services, approving payment for fees incurred in November. These fees included research into non-conforming uses for the building inspector and town administrator. One member abstained from voting on the payment due to its absence from the agenda, yet the motion passed with support from the remaining members.