Planning Board OKs clean-energy moratorium
Planning Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026
Shutesbury Planning Board backs a solar moratorium and a $20,000 permit fee after a battery fire scare. The board voted 5-1, with one abstention, to send the Select Board a proposed moratorium on small clean energy infrastructure facilities, citing a gap between a new state DOER siting law taking effect October 1 and the town's own zoning. A public hearing is set for October 5.
Members also disclosed an unreported April inverter fire at a NextEra solar and battery site, with Fire Chief Lenny describing confusion locating the blaze; one board member, a former chemistry teacher, warned "you have to trust me, I'm the scientist on this board" about PFAS risks from battery components. The board separately voted 6-1 to set a $20,000 special permit application fee for small clean energy projects, with unused funds reimbursed. It also declined, 5-0, to endorse an Approval Not Required plan for Oak Knoll Drive lots over incorrect deed references.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,162 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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