Board approves ground-mounted solar array for Lockwood Drive property in New Boston

The New Boston Planning Board approved a conditional-use permit for a ground-mounted solar array on a Lockwood Drive property in the town's RA (residential/agricultural) district.

The applicants described a Sun action dual track, 24-panel ground-mount array totaling about 552 square feet and located roughly in the middle of a 7-acre lot to minimize visibility from neighboring properties. "The solar array will be pretty much in the middle of our 7 acres, and not visible to any of our neighbors or the town," the applicant said during the presentation.

Board members asked how the system is mounted; the applicant said the panels are screwed into the ground (screw-in piles) due to granite at the site rather than a continuous concrete foundation. The board also asked about noise from tracking motors and battery systems; the applicant said the tracking motor is very quiet and that batteries are intended to eliminate the need for a backup generator, though a generator would be available for additional charging needs.

Fire-safety measures were discussed: the applicants said they will provide an external shutoff and a full sprinkler system for the house because the fire department cannot reliably access the driveway. The fire-department coordination was represented as completed for the house systems; the board asked that the external shutoff detail be on the plan.

The board asked the applicants to add minor plan clarifications (plan date, setbacks, signature blocks, and explicit notes about maintained vegetation and vegetation maintenance). The applicant proposed a resubmission date of Nov. 14 to provide required paperwork and fee payment. A motion to approve the CUP with the discussed conditions passed by voice vote.

What happens next: applicants must submit the corrected plans and required items by the date certain, include the external shutoff detail and demonstrate any outstanding fees have been paid before final sign-off.