Rochester Farms Solar Project Enters the Ring

            It isn’t often that the Rochester Conservation Commission has a light, uncomplicated agenda. But as sweet and easy as a spring breeze, that was the case when the commission met on April 16.

            Coming before the commission with an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation was SWEB Development USA, LLC for property located at 0 Marion Road, owned by Rochester Farms, LLC – Craig Canning.

            Canning was represented by Mathew Morrow, the environmental consulting engineer for the solar developer, seeking to have some 3,850 linear feet confirmed from wetlands flags placed by Morrow.

            Future plans for the site include a ground-mounted solar array – the largest one in Rochester if approved.

            Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon said that she needed time to review the flags, and requested that a peer review consultant evaluate soils in ditch areas near the proposed site.

            After reaching an agreement of $3,000 for an initial peer-review consultant fee, the hearing was continued until June 18.

In other business, the public hearing for a very large and very complicated application that has been wending its way through wetlands regulations and Planning Board review for months was again continued.

            The Notice of Intent filing by Repurpose Properties LLC, Buzzards Bay for a 22-duplex age-restricted subdivision proposed for Rounseville Road near Plumb Corner was continued until May 21 at the request of the applicant. In their missive to the commission, the request was made to allow for the preparation of the final engineering documents.

            Coming before the commission, after recusing herself, that is, was one of the commission’s own, Maggie Payne, for property located at 555 Walnut Plain Road.

            Payne and her husband, Justin, sought a Negative Determination of Applicability for a Request for their Determination of Applicability for the removal of eight pine trees on the property that were either severely damaged, diseased, or threatening their home. The request received a Negative Determination of Applicability.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for May 7 at 7:00 pm in the Rochester Town Hall meeting room.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

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