Letter: Transparency? Not in this Westport solar farm plan

Posted 9/3/18

To the editor:

First, let us say that we are pro-solar ... in the right locations.

Now let us correct or enlarge on a few of Mr. Fox’s statements (regarding the Drift Road proposal). We quote …

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Letter: Transparency? Not in this Westport solar farm plan

Posted

To the editor:

First, let us say that we are pro-solar ... in the right locations.

Now let us correct or enlarge on a few of Mr. Fox’s statements (regarding the Drift Road proposal). We quote … “CVE was founded in 2009 (true enough, but CVE North America was founded in November of 2017) on seven key principles. Chief among these is to promote corporate social responsibility, and to move forward in mutual trust in transparency.”

Really? We have tried to find out what towns in the USA have up and running solar developments by CVE. No luck so far — are we the lucky first town?

Again quoting: “… it becomes apparent that weather patterns, and the severity of storms not previously seen, are becoming common place in Southeastern Massachusetts.”

Sadly, very true. This past year we have experienced terrible storms with incredible loss of so many big trees that were snapped off or ripped from the ground. Here in Westport we are in the 120 mph wind zone. We have seen pictures of the devastation done to solar developments when hit by this kind of wind. Is CVE ready to clean up the mess? Does CVE carry liability insurance to cover neighboring homes hit by flying panels?

Another paragraph down Mr. Fox says, “The land needs to be relatively flat, and so situated as not to cause any negative environmental impact”. Has he looked at this site? Seems very doubtful! The land is very far from flat, water runoff will be remarkable and flow right down through our woods and field and on into the Westport River, leaving plenty behind in our neighbors cellars…our area has a high water table already.

And then “Another founding principle of CVE is that of quality. This extends to quality in the design of a solar farm that fully protects environmental resources such as wetlands, and wildlife, and most certainly to protecting public health and safety.”

Clear cutting so many acres of woodland will displace deer and other animals from their natural environment and access to their watering places. This will lead to their dangerous move to Route 88 and Drift Road instead of their north-south travel through the woods, not a happy situation for man nor beast! Certainly, protecting wildlife is not high on their list of things to do. The “design of the solar farm” leaves a lot to be desired also as to protecting wetlands. The solar arrays extend into the 100-foot setbacks around the wetlands.

“Our desire to protect the environment includes protecting the character of the community, particularly the scenic view”. The character of this community is very quiet residential and farming with frequently seen roaming deer, rabbits, foxes and turkeys, and a bounty of birds. Do they think this will remain undisturbed?

Then he says, “The proposed array is screened by over 270 feet of mature forest (over 430 feet total) from the closest abutter other than the site owner.” Where is he getting these figures? Certainly not from the plans! We are the closest abutter and at the northeast corner of the array the perimeter fence is 30 feet from our property line! Where does he get the 270 feet figure, or the 430 feet? Is he adding all the sides together?

It doesn’t work that way! The discharge from the stormwater holding pond on the east end of the array discharges directly into our woodlands. What sort of plan is this? Is this respect for the environment? Or for the property of others?

Yes, he could do other things with his land — he owns it. He could build houses, it is his right, and so long as he meets the zoning criteria we would not oppose him. But this area is zoned residential/farming and it should stay that way!

Al and Penny Hadfield

Westport

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