By WILL ROSS
PITTSFORD—The Pittsford Selectboard gathered on Wednesday to mull over town business. In attendance were members of a group representing Outback Acres Solar. The group would go on to give a presentation on a new project that is proposed for a parcel of land off Furnace Road.
This solar project would be installed on a 71-acre plot of land located at 474 Furnace Road, and the array would cover 18 acres in total. It would produce around 3.5 megawatts of electricity and consist of single-access tracker panels.
There have been several surveys and studies completed so far to ensure the project will comply with electrical and environmental regulations. The group representing the project claimed that there would be limited visibility for a majority of Pittsford residents and have plans to use local plant species as a visual buffer to maintain the natural aesthetic.
Some benefits of the project would include bringing in jobs during construction, diversifying the source of electricity, and helping to achieve renewable-energy goals. The land will be able to return to agricultural use after the project is done, and there will be no impact on local traffic.
Selectboard Chair Alicia Malay asked if there were any plans for disposal when the panels reach the end of their lifespan. Nancy Malmquist informed the board that no specific location for the disposal has been selected; however, funds have been allocated for that inevitable process.
Board member Mark Winslow raised concerns about the soil types on the parcel. It was disclosed that all 18 acres qualify as prime agricultural soil, which, because of Vermont Act 250, is typically a challenge to develop. The act states that the agricultural potential of the soil cannot be reduced by any development. However, Adam Crary assured the board that there are procedures in place to mitigate any impact on the soil that may result from staging, access roads, and equipment paths.
The project is still in the permitting process and has an anticipated build date of sometime in 2024; the build would take around 6 months to complete.
After the presentation was complete, the board went on to discuss the Water and Sewer Commission. Town manager, David Atherton, wondered why the two committees, the Selectboard, and the Water and Sewer Commission, were different. Atherton noted that it may be more efficient to combine the two or have meetings that are back-to-back. Eventually, it was decided that the best course of action would be to dissolve the Water and Sewer Commission and have the Selectboard take on its duties.
In other business:
- Furnace Brook Landscaping won the bid for town lawn mowing.
- The board will allocate funds for new laptops for the police station which will be installed by Vermont Digital.
