Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Residents will vote on Article 34, which regulates solar farms in Holliston, during town meeting on May 7.
Concerned Holliston residents are hoping to raise support for a bylaw that would regulate large-scale solar farms in residential areas before town meeting on May 7. Organizers are aiming to avoid battles similar to the recent 5-month struggle at public hearings in front of the Planning Board that blocked a 7,500-panel solar farm from being built on Bullard Street. Using email lists, social media and relying on word of mouth, the former members of the group that opposed the Bullard Street project are now focusing their efforts on possible future solar proposals. "We would be able to regulate these projects and close the loophole that we face under Massachusetts General Law," Sandra O'Neil, a supporter of the bylaw said. Article 34, which…
Friday, April 13, 2012
A solar energy facility proposed for Bullard Street was formally denied by the Planning Board last night.
A 2-megawatt solar energy facility proposed for Bullard Street was formally denied by Holliston's Planning Board last night. The board cited public health concerns, decreased property values and damage to the area's aesthetics that could come from the proposed 7,500 solar panels on the Bullard Memorial Farm site. "I don't think it belongs there, frankly" Parashar Patel, Vice Chairman of the Planning Board said during the meeting. Representitives from developer Renewable Energy Massachusetts said they are still deciding if they will appeal the board's decision in court. "We hope they don't appeal," Tom Gilbert a Holliston resident. "We think its not to their benefit and its obviously not to our benefit. We don't want to see this carried…
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Residents are hoping to pass a bylaw that that will prohibit similar solar projects in residential areas.
After a 4-month battle between local residents and solar developer Renewable Energy Massachusetts, the Planning Board is set to announce a formal denial of a proposed solar project on Bullard Street today. A public hearing in front of Holliston's Planning board pitted the solar developer against droves of Holliston residents, who came to oppose the project on grounds including health and aesthetics. Hearing testimony from locals on how the plant would affect residents' daily lives, the Planning Board voted unanimously against the project last week. Today, the Planning Board will present its formal denial of the project, citing the impact to the health, safety and welfare of the area's residents. Members of Stop Bullard Farm Solar …
Friday, March 23, 2012
A solar panel facility, proposed for the Bullard Street farmland, was voted down by Holliston's Planning Board.
Holliston's Planning Board voted unanimously Thursday night against installing a solar energy plant on Bullard Street amid a fervor of public opposition to the proposed facility. With possible risks to the health of area residents due to factors including toxic chemicals in the panels and the output of electromagnetic frequency, board members voted 5-0 to have the town's lawyers draft a denial of the project. Stop Bullard Farm Power Plant, a group started on the web by concerned residents, brought organized opposition against building a facility in the residential Bullard Street neighborhood. Tom Gilbert, an organizer of the Stop Bullard movement, said his past several months of researching solar panels and attending the group's meetings …
The Planning Board voted down the proposed Bullard Farm solar plant Thursday night.
1. Residents rejoiced last night after the Planning Board voted down the proposed Bullard Farm solar plant after months of public hearing. Check out our article with all the details. 2. Do you like good coffee? Stop by the First Congregational Church of Holliston tomorrow at 7 p.m. to attend 1728 Coffee House for some live music and gourmet coffee. 3. This morning is your last chance to vote on the best place in town to get your hair cut. Check back later in the day to see who won. 4. The Holliston High Drama Club will perform their original play, "Humans" at the finals of the METG drama festival at the Back Bay events center in Boston on Sunday. Be sure to wish them luck. 5. Business owners: have you claimed your listing yet? Watch our…
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The location of Thursday's hearing on the Bullard Farm solar plant has been changed.
The expected final hearing on the Bullard Farm Solar Plant, scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m., has been moved to the Holliston Senior Center. The change comes amid a fervor of public opposition that has brought dozens of residents to the Planning Board's cramped meeting room in recent months to sound off against the proposed plant. Since January, board members have weighed site plans presented by developer Renewable Energy Massachusetts against the concern of area residents who advocate for the aesthetics of the neighborhood and worry about potential heath risks. Among the concerned residents at last week's hearing was Stacey McGovern, an area resident with a cochlear implant, a device that helps her hear. "I cant walk with my three …
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sandra O'Neil, a Holliston resident opposed to a proposed solar project on Bullard Street, sounds off against the zoning laws that could make it possible to construct.
Living in a residential neighborhood used to mean that you might have to deal with a new home on an empty lot, a development, or new septic systems or your neighbor’s new shed or porch. This is all changing. Now, because of the status Massachusetts Law 40A Section 3, solar exemption, residents are arguably no longer protected by the zoning we have counted on to protect us since 1926. There are several local communities currently struggling with solar developers who wish to push large scale ground-mounted solar facilities into residential neighborhoods. Holliston is not alone, it’s happening in Lunenburg, Carver, Amesbury and Belchertown to name a few. The push for green energy has translated into developers trying to take massive green …
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Planning Board members extended the hearing on the proposed Bullard Farm solar plant to gather evidence on potential health risks.
With questions still unanswered on the potential health risks associated with the proposed Bullard Farm solar plant, Planning Board members decided Monday night to extend a public hearing on the issue to gather more evidence. During the hearing, representatives for Renewable Energy Massachusetts presented technical data opposing the health concerns residents have voiced in recent weeks over the 2-megawatt solar array. But when residents had their turn to speak, they turned to the human element to present their case. "I cant walk with my three children if I can't hear because my implant is buzzing," said Stacey McGovern, an area resident with a cochlear implant, a device that helps her hear. "There is no one who can guarantee it won't be …
After hours of debate, there is still no decision on the Bullard solar plant from the Planning board.
1. Last night's Planning Board meeting answered a lot of questions, but did not result in a vote on the proposed Bullard Farm solar plant. Check back later in the day for an article with all the details. 2. Holliston has a lot of historical homes which the Historical Society will celebrate in their Old Houses class at 7:30 p.m. today. 3. The Board of Assessors meet at the Town Hall today in room 105 at 8 p.m. 4. Learn to be a Chess Master during a class at the Senior Center today. Designed for advanced players, the class will teach the basics of a scholar's mate and fool's mate. 5. Do you follow us on Facebook? Click "like" at the top of the page to join the conversation happening in our Online community.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Will the Planning Board make a decision on the Bullard Farm solar plant?
1. The Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. today where a decision could be reached on the controversial Bullard Farm solar plant. 2. This week, Patch asks our readers where the best place around to celebrate St. Patrick's day is. Our list is short, so feel free to leave us some suggestions in the comments section. 3. Shen's Gymnastics hosts Open Gym today where kids can stop in starting at 8 a.m. to jump on trampolines, climb ropes and enjoy some music for an $8 entry fee. 4. Holliston School for The Performing Arts hosts Global Percussion & Culture today where kids can get their hands on a variety of different percussion instruments. The music starts at 12:30 p.m. 5. Have something to say? We want your opinion. Become a blogger on Patch and…
Sandra O'Neil
9:47 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
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