Vassalboro planners review Novel Energy’s proposal, again

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members again reviewed Novel Energy’s proposed community solar farm at 2235 Riverside Drive at their April 1 meeting (see the March 13 issue of The Town Line, pp. 2 and 3).

Novel representative Ralph Addonizio gave each member a copy of an application almost two inches thick. Board members found it was missing necessary information: the updated site plan did not show the expanded buffers they had required at the initial review.

Addonizio said the change was in his notes; he did not know why it had not been shown, but he could quickly have it added.

He asked whether the board could approve the application and make adding to the plan a condition for beginning work. No, they said. Board member Dan Bradstreet (who is Waterville’s Codes Enforcement Director) explained that Vassalboro codes officer Eric Currie needs an exact plan, so he can make sure work done matches it.

Board members also requested a larger copy of the site plan, which Addonizio will provide. After their quick review of the submission found no other omissions and no obvious problems, they scheduled a special meeting April 7.

Two couples who live near the solar farm site attended the April 1 meeting, but did not continue the objections to the project that dominated the March review.

Michael and Doris Lyons talked about unpleasant experiences with other solar companies. Addonizio assured them Novel Energy has never been fined or shut down for failure to comply with permits. The Minnesota-based company was started by a farming family to benefit rural populations, he said.

Neighbors Walker and Alison Thompson had no comments.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, May 6.