The Clean Energy Collective solar project met with the Planning Board on May 26 to discuss the screening of the solar farm to keep it out of sight for Rochester residents. The discussion turned heated when the board asked the Clean Energy representative why they had continued to work despite not having fencing up yet.

The 6.5-acre solar farm is located in Marion, but abuts Rochester and is accessible only through Perry's Lane in Rochester.

Clean Energy proposed a cedar fence to screen the farm. The cedar fence would last the lifetime of the project with little maintenance and it is planned to be more than seven feet high to shield the panels from view.

The board wanted to be sure that its residents would not have to see the panels.

“I’m not against solar, I just don’t want to see it,” Planning Board member Gary Florindo said. “The whole neighborhood shouldn’t have to look at it.”

The board then questioned why Clean Energy continued its work when, at the last meeting, members asked them not to proceed until a fence went up. The Clean Energy representatives maintained that there was no condition in their special permit that required them to finish the screening before starting the project construction, and they said they don't believe the board has the authority to stop their work.

The Planning Board members said their main concern was that they had talked about it at the last meeting and the Clean Energy representatives hadn’t expressed an unwillingness to comply at the time. They never expressed any hesitations after the fact either.

“So are you going to get the permits and then do whatever you want and screw everyone?” Chair Arnie Johnson asked.

Board member Ben Bailey then moved to reopen the public hearing for Clean Energy’s special permit. His motion was seconded.

After much discussion, Clean Energy representatives said the company would commit to ordering the fence the next day and putting it up as soon as they received it, as well as keeping the board informed every step of the way.

“We’ll order it and put it up when it’s delivered, at your insistence,” Clean Energy Collective’s attorney Richard Serkey said.

The board agreed, and Bailey then amended his motion.

“We will reopen the public hearing if by June 14 the fence is not in place,” Bailey said. The motion was seconded and approved.

In other news:

Meadowatt, a large-scale solar farm proposed for 188-190 Marion Road, continued a public hearing with the Planning Board. Representatives shared plans to demolish the house on the property, which the board said would have to be done before construction of the solar farm started. The Planning Board also looked at fencing options for the project and asked the company to stake out the four corners of the property, the edge of the property and any trees they plan to remove so they can get an idea of what residents would see when the project is done. The hearing will continue at the next meeting on June 14.