March 28, 2024

Another Industrial Solar Project in Rehoboth: Many Questions; Few Answers

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Let me start by saying I strongly support clean energy including solar . I support such projects if approved in accordance with Town laws and bylaws and with superceding State and Federal Laws including those that protect rivers and wetlands. I support them when it can be demonstrated that the benefits to the community and the Town outweigh the possible harms to health, safety, residential impact, historic preservation, and consequences to the environment (including wildlife). And when such projects are well-planned , constructed according to the plans, and monitored and held accountable by the appropriate Boards and Agencies. Currently, however, I share the concerns of many other residents, (not just the immediate neighbors), regarding the industrial solar project proposed by the company, Nexamp, at Camp Buxton on Pond Street. It seems there are many significant questions and not enough clear answers to warrant an approval to clear cut 14 acres of magnificent trees , destroy what likely remains of significant Native American artifacts, further pollute the Palmer River, and detrimentally impact the well-being of local families. While I do not know the best answers, I think it is important to at least raise the following questions:

1. How can this industrial solar project be approved when there are numerous unresolved questions related to laws and bylaws such as those raised by SaveRehoboth.org which specifies each of these? There are apparent violations of MA guidelines against deforestation and bylaw violations about the project not being harmful or visible to the surrounding community. And there are questions about Zoning bylaws related to industry in a rural, residential neighborhood.

2. Wouldn’t construction of this industrial solar project destroy historic Native American artifacts and preclude any further archeological exploration of the Camp Buxton property? I understand that Erin Flynn who specializes in ancient Native American archeology has recovered significant findings through her work at Camp Buxton. Some of her work was presented in November 2020 and is available on video via the Rehoboth Antiquarian web site. I have spoken with many other residents who are also concerned about preserving Rehoboth’s history and saving the ancient artifacts that could be sacred to the Native American culture. Have the State and local Historical Commissions and/or the Rehoboth Preservation Committee had an opportunity to speak to these concerns? Are there State and/or Federal Departments or laws that preclude this destruction or organizations pertaining to Native Americans that should be informed ?

3. There is reportedly an important early legal requirement related to Camp Buxton and surrounding property specifying that the property be preserved indefinitely ( in perpetuity). Is it noted in the deed? A Title search found a 1765 conveyance of this land from Ephraim Hunt to the Congregational Church in Book 46 Page 475. It is handwritten and hard to read. Does the Church or anyone have either a clearer version or understanding of this conveyance or awareness of any other specification beyond the conveyance that addresses preservation requirements for this property? Wouldn’t it be essential for the Town to be sure this land is legally available for development before approving this project? Couldn’t that be a liability to the Town and possibly also impact residents in terms of cost?

4. At the virtual Planning Board meeting on 03/17/21, it was acknowledged that the solar project would significantly alter the topography of the property. Between that and the clear cutting , water flow downhill from the project onto neighbors properties would increase possibly flooding basements and introducing toxins (from construction products and herbicides) into wells, ponds and the Palmer river. Isn’t this a significant health and safety concern as well as an environmental and flooding concern? Doesn’t the Conservation Commission need to weigh in on that? And possibly the Board of Health? It also came up that the Water Commission had been contacted and a representative was due to appear again at a Planning Board Meeting, but related questions that had been posed (that were needed before the Water Commission could do so) had not been answered by Nexamp or the Board. But, if I understood correctly, at the 03/17/21 meeting the Planning Board decided to preclude any further discussion about the above concluding that the next Board meeting will be the last related to the industrial solar project and only focus on input from respective attorneys. Don’t these questions need to be answered first?

5. Related to the latter decision on the part of the Planning Board, I know the Board is not in an easy position, but it seems important for the Board to consider the unique and devastating impact Covid 19 has had on residents as it relates to community involvement. Covid 19 and the many difficult restrictions have, directly and indirectly, overwhelmed most of us this past year with some degree of devastating consequences including death, illness, job loss, financial hardship, severe anxiety and depression , grief, school crises and beyond. Fears and isolation alone have paralyzed some people. How much time and ability have residents had to be aware of and invest in current Town affairs? As a nurse and a psychotherapist , I can tell you some people have barely been making it. Additionally, the combination of the unfamiliar format of virtual meetings , lack of access for some, process problems, and Nexamp cancelling some meetings at the last minute have all understandably extended the time that might usually be needed for such a project to be fully “vetted”. Shouldn’t an exception for some additional time be allowed for residents who were unable to participate given such extreme, extenuating circumstances? Shouldn’t this community have the opportunity to present expert input already proposed and do so with the answers they have already requested? Shouldn’t all the above questions and more be thoughtfully addressed ?

Finally, as I write this, I am ultimately wondering why this fourth Industrial solar project is even being proposed? Given the surprisingly small “income” to the Town of Rehoboth, the disastrous results of the Summer Street Project that went bankrupt, and the harm to wetlands and failure to follow through on plans regarding the Bay State Road project , have we not learned to approach these projects with extreme caution so Rehoboth will not be “burned” again? I do not understand the benefit to the Town, especially when a Conservation trust offered to buy and preserve this beautiful property that has been a place of serenity for so many during these harsh , unsafe and unpredictable times of Covid 19. It seems one of the rare positive things we have learned in this devastating past year has been to truly understand the importance of space , especially the almost-sacredness of natural space and the profound beauty characteristic of places like Camp Buxton and the surrounding land. Wouldn’t the benefits of preserving this property for all to safely breathe in the gifts of nature outweigh the many problems increasingly coming to light that could well be significantly detrimental to the Town and its residents?

Which ever way you might vote on this project if you could, I value your taking the time to read this. I do not know the answers but hope some might seriously consider the questions, add in their own …..and ultimately give what they can to the answers.

Marsha Hood

Rehoboth, MA

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