On May 19, the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals heard an application filed by Dennis Mahoney and Sons seeking a Special Permit.
Representing Mahoney and Sons, Rich Riccio of Field Engineering described the project as a small solar array of half a megawatt capability on 2.9 acres of land adjacent to 115 North Street. He said that although there would be some clearing of trees, no scenic vistas would be impacted.
Riccio further described the parcel as being situated in the Mattapoisett River aquifer district and that the 1,500-panel commercial solar array would be placed 100 feet from jurisdictional wetlands. Regarding endangered species, Riccio said none were mapped on the parcel in question.
The placement of the array is planned 200 feet from the nearest residence, Riccio stated, and that decommissioning bonds and sureties would be set in place. He further stated that negotiations were underway for a P.I.L.O.T. program.
ZBA member Colby Rottler noted several areas of concern and advice he wished to impart to the abutters, things he had learned from reviewing other solar-array applications.
At the top of Rottler’s list was the planting of screening materials before the construction of the array field. He said in the past this requirement was either never completed or failed to be nourished and cared for after being placed. Second, was the need for obvious placement of a phone number at the site if it becomes necessary to contact the owners. He said in the past, residents have been frustrated in failed attempts to contact array developers or owners when something needed to be addressed.
“Don’t be silent, call the town administrator if you have to,” said Rottler.
According to Rottler, any permit should be conditioned so that hours of construction, a three-month process, would not disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of abutters’ property on weekends. And lastly, he said that dust controls during construction must be maintained. “People have lived there a long time, it’s real important not to aggrieve people,” he said.
Rottler went on to say that in the past during the construction of solar arrays, “There was a lot of pain and suffering – don’t suffer in silence,” he told the attendees. The Special Permit was approved with conditions as expressed by Rottler’s comments.
David Ricci’s Special Permit request for property located at 0 Cove Street was granted for the construction of a 980-square-foot, elevated, single-family dwelling.
ZBA member William Cantor wondered aloud about the placement of a structure on a barrier beach. “I’m surprised it’s being built on what is basically a sandbar, but if Conservation is okay with it…” The proposed project had been conditioned by the Conservation Commission over the course of several months of hearings. On this night, the Special Permit as presented was approved.
Other Special Permits approved as presented were Peter and Hannah Asci, 9 Highland Avenue, for the demolition of an existing dwelling and construction of a new dwelling; Richard Boynton, 32 Church Street, for the construction of an addition and Long Built Homes, 0 Wildwood Terrace, for the construction of a single-family dwelling.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled upon adjournment.
Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals
By Marilou Newell