Happy Hollow Road homeowners not happy with Borrego Solar

by Inanna Arthen
Several homeowners came before the Planning Board on Tuesday, October 15 to express their concerns about the gravel pit property at 38 Happy Hollow Road, now the site of a new solar farm developed by Borrego Solar.

David Albrecht, principal civil engineer for Borrego Solar Northeast region, came before the Planning Board with a request to remove more trees from the existing site, on land formerly owned by John Fletcher and operated as a gravel pit. Mr. Albrecht stated that pine trees at the top of the cliff (or edge of the gravel pit excavated area), were 80 to 90 feet in height, and with the height of the cliff, shaded the solar installation. The distance between the installation and any tall source of shade needs to be three times the height of the shade source. Since the installation can't be moved, the height of the shade source must be reduced, in order to increase energy production.

In response to questions from Planning Board members, Mr. Albrecht said they had not yet directly measured the installation's energy production. They're basing their data on models. Mr. Albrecht said that in past versions of the models, "errors were made at some point." He stated that stumps and root systems would be left in the ground to mitigate erosion of the sandy soil.

Rosalie Cody, her mother Irene Cody, Doreen Ames and Richard Ames all rose to speak as abutting property owners to the solar farm site. All four residents described long-standing problems with the development of the Fletcher property over the last two years. They reported that large numbers of downed trees were left lying on the ground as deadwood, with debris pushed up into piles along the road. The quantity of deadwood, especially being pine, is attracting infestations of termites, ants and other pests that are impacting dwellings and getting into the well water supply. Irene Cody reported that the road isn't being maintained, and that heavy equipment is going over the unpaved road and culvert even though it isn't supposed to. Doreen and Richard Ames spoke about heavy erosion on the slopes of the gravel pit, saying this will only be made worse if more trees are removed.

Ken, a homeowner on Russell Farm Road, told the Planning Board that trees were cleared on the north side of the solar farm, more than was needed for the installation.

Mr. Albrecht responded that Borrego Solar was not involved with any clearing on other parts of the property. He said Borrego pushed aside downed wood "so that the owner could make use of it as he wanted." Mr. Albrecht said they would look into the erosion problems.

Charlaine, a homeowner on Happy Hollow Road, asked how Borrego contractors will get to the area slated for clearing without going through her property, as it appears from the map they would have to do. Mr. Albrecht stated that all access would be through the Fletcher property, and they would do "hand cutting" to open up an egress for large equipment.

Planning Board member Burt Gould suggested that the Planning Board make a site visit and examine the situation for themselves. The Cody family asked to be informed so they could participate in the site walk.

Mr. Gould commented about the lack of input the Planning Board has had from the Conservation Commission about this project. "Somebody needs a kick you-know-where to get this thing done, maybe we need a chat with the Town Manager," Mr. Gould said. "I haven't seen a damn thing from Conservation. What has Conservation said? Do they approve the plan?"

The hearing was continued to November 19.

Vandalism and theft at UU Church on Central Street

by Inanna Arthen
Volunteers arriving to prepare that night's Our Neighbor's Kitchen community dinner at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon on Thursday, October 10 found a vandalized interior door and cash missing inside the building.

There was no evidence of forced entry from outside. A door leading from the downstairs parish hall into a small office had been damaged. One panel had been kicked or forced until the intruder could reach the deadbolt lock and turn it.

Once inside, the intruder took a cash box from a high shelf, removed cash from the box and put the box back in place. The intruder then exited by the back stairs, leaving an interior door into the sanctuary and the side exit door to Summer Street standing wide open. Nothing else was found to be missing or damaged.

UUCW is putting increased security into place. All cash and valuables will now be secured off-site at all times, according to the UUCW Governing Board.

The Courier is aware of a similar incident on Central Street in June. The front door of a storefront was kicked or forced open, splintering the door frame into pieces, and the door left slightly ajar. In that case, nothing appeared to have been disturbed or taken from inside the storefront, leaving the motive for the damage a mystery.

Anyone with information about the October 10 theft is urged to contact the Winchendon Police Department at 978-297-1212.

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