Acushnet panel projects updated after peer review; battery storage removed from Clems Way plan

Asa Smith of Atlantic Design Engineers asked the Acushnet Conservation Commission on July 22 to extend an existing Order of Resource Area Delineation (ORAD) for a proposed 3.116-megawatt photovoltaic project at 540 R Main Street after a peer review updated several wetland flag locations. "With the peer review complete and agreement reached on the delineation, we respectfully request that the commission approved the LRAD this evening," Smith told the panel.

The commission heard that LAC Environmental’s peer review recorded only minor changes to flagged wetlands and recommended the ORAD acknowledge the revised locations. Staff told commissioners the updated flagging is now shown on a plan dated 07/06/2026 but that, under Department of Environmental Protection recording procedures, the commission cannot treat the updated plan as the recorded baseline without an amended order. Commissioners discussed two approaches: approve the previously recorded 2020 plan and grant the extension now, or require the applicant to file an amended ORAD so the revised flags are recorded. After discussion characterizing the changes as minimal, the commission voted to accept the original extension and to handle an amendment and extension together at a subsequent meeting so the revised flagging can be recorded in the proper registry.

Separately, Sarah Stearmans of Fields and Thomas updated the commission on minor modifications to the approved solar project at 1094 Main Street (Clems Way). Stearmans said the battery energy storage system that had been part of the approved plan has been removed and that a single utility pole will now cross an intermittent ditch near the road rather than multiple poles along the bank. "The battery energy storage system has been removed from the project," Stearmans said, adding that the change lowers the project’s impervious area and reduces stormwater management impacts.

Commission members asked whether the post-approval changes should be handled as formal amendments or documented with a letter of modifications. Staff and the applicants said the changes had already been shared with the planning department and that a June 11 letter describing the updates is on file; the panel voted to accept the letter of modifications and asked staff to file hard copies with the commission and consider formal amendment procedures for future alterations so the recorded plan set reflects field conditions.

What happens next: For the R Main Street ORAD the applicant will be advised on filing an amended ORAD and staff will coordinate registry-of-deeds recording as needed. For Clems Way, applicants will supply hard-copy plan updates for the commission file; any future material changes that increase buffer-zone impact may prompt a formal amendment and public hearing.