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For the second time in a matter of days, a town board will get a look at the massive solar farm proposed for more than 60 acres of the Maplegate golf course, commonly thought of as "in Bellingham" because it is accessed through that town, but entirely in Franklin.
Last Thursday, Franklin's Conservation Commission got an overview of the proposal and were told that its impact on wetlands or other protected resources should be negligible. The Commission is awaiting, a peer review by Beta Engineering.
The Planning Board's focus will be somewhat wider than ConCom
Unclear at this writing is what this means for the land's current "protection" under Chapter 61, which does not appear to allow for solar uses. Changes in the status of Chapter 61 lands can trigger a "right of first refusal" option to buy for the town. And, in this case, the Maplegate property is adjacent to the 400 acre Army Corps of Engineers flood control property, already permanently preserved as conservation land.
The Planning Board meets at 7 in the third floor Training Room of the Municipal Building. The meeting can also be viewed and/or listened to at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85307431405 or call on your phone at 312-626-6799, meeting #85307431405
