Kingsboro negotiates higher PILOT for proposed battery storage site near Route 3

The Kingsboro town manager reported on June 15 that a developer has proposed a 20‑year payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) agreement for a battery storage facility on a vacant parcel off Middlesex Road. The town has sent a counterproposal that seeks a substantially higher annual payment than the developer’s initial offer.

Town Manager Colin Moiselle said the developer’s project has received conservation approvals for tree clearing and stormwater, and that the facility will be set back from Middlesex Road with limited monthly maintenance traffic. The parcel is large (the parcel is listed in the permit documentation as roughly 29 acres) and the site will be secured and fenced.

Moiseille said the town’s counterproposal, filed the same day, reflects data on the project’s taxable value. Board members and staff asked the developer to present to the Select Board at a future meeting. Safety and operational concerns were flagged: the fire department asked about appropriate response protocols for lithium‑ion battery events (which can burn hot and require specialized handling) and suggested the developer consider providing equipment or remote assessment tools such as drones as part of mitigation planning.

Moiseille said the pilot approach protects the town from volatile yearly assessments: under a conventional tax assessment the town would still collect revenue but the process can be administratively heavy; a PILOT can stabilize revenue expectations for both sides. If the developer refuses a PILOT the town may use a conventional assessment process.

What’s next: The town will continue PILOT negotiations, invite the developer and fire department to brief the Select Board at a future meeting, and continue conservation and permitting oversight. Staff said they will share additional details and documentation with the board when the developer schedules a presentation.