Rochester’s Conservation Commission began its meeting Tuesday by approving a positive Order of Conditions the Notice of Intent filed by Sealord Enterprises, LLC for construction of a 20,000 square-foot commercial building for contractor bays with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities, and storm water management system within the 100-foot of wetlands at a new address on Cranberry Highway.
The project’s engineering consultant Bob Rogers said the Planning Board had approved the waivers he requested for that panel’s permit and simply wanted to leave the latter’s public hearing open in case the commission had further comments he needed to address. Commissioner Chris Gerrior said Rogers needed no waivers from his board, and the resulting approval vote was unanimous.
The commission then issued another positive Order of Conditions, in the Notice of Intent hearing for Eversource Energy’s work on a utility sub-station within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone and the 25-foot No Disturb Zone at 214 Rounseville Road. Engineering consultant John Zimmer, attending the meeting on Zoom, clarified the project is to rebuild the existing substation, including relocating three existing stormwater basin “poles.” He said he needed variances for property’s access entrance. Gerrior asked if abutters have concerns. Zimmer said an abutter who spoke at the project’s Planning Board hearing merely needs to see the final landscape design.
The commission then opened its biggest hearing of the night, on the Notice of Intent application for work within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone at 53 Dexter Lane for the construction of a floating and ground-mounted solar array with associated battery energy storage system.
Project representative Sarah Sterns said this is a plan for three floating solar panels on their bog manufactured lakes and three panels upland that are all part of an existing farm. Both commission members and audience members responded with concerns focusing on what this installation will do the waterways there and the wildlife. In the end, the commission motioned a continuance in order to hire a wildlife biologist to investigate their issues.
The first question before this result came from Member Matt Bache, who asked “how will the floating panels be anchored?” Stern said they will either be anchored to the bottom of the pond or slightly under the surface of the water, depending on the vendor that is chosen. “It will be like a dock in the water, with a very small footprint,” she said.
Bache also wanted to know what happens to materials from the panels landing in the water. New member Jenelle Jesse asked if a variety of metrics had been used to test water quality. Abutter Lena Finch said the installation could directly impact the Eastern Box Turtles and salamanders in the area. Gerrior noted past Conservation Commission approvals have included promises of erosion controls and regular turtle searches.
Member Ben Bailey voiced the biggest objection. The Department of Environmental Protection allows floating solar arrays only on man-made water, he said. But a natural river runs through this pond. “I don’t think you can do that here,” he said. He then signaled opposition to this plan based on that fact.
He also noted waterfowl fly into solar panels thinking they are water, thus injuring or killing themselves. “Are there any studies of bird mortality rates?” he asked.
Member Merilee Kelly suggested the peer review option. “I’d like to see a peer reviewer get involved,” she said.
The commission approved this move and to continue the hearing to July 14.
In other action, upon the applicant’s request, the commission continued to its next meeting the Notice of Intent hearing for work within bordering vegetated wetlands related to a ground-mounted solar array system in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road.
After a brief discussion of the plan, the commission also continued to its next meeting the Notice of Intent hearing on a proposed single family home within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone at 28 Marion Road.
The next Conservation Commission meeting will be on July 1, 2025 at 7:00 pm, at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco