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Maple Creek residents oppose Avangrid land purchase for substation; committee hears concerns, takes no action
Summary
At a June 24 Economic Development Committee public hearing, residents from the Town of Maple Creek told New London leaders they oppose selling city land to Avangrid for a substation and maintenance facility tied to a solar array two miles north; the committee opened and closed the hearing and did not take action.
Members of the public told the City of New London Economic Development Committee on June 24 that they oppose selling city-owned land in the Northeast New London Business Center to Avangrid for use as a substation and maintenance facility connected to a solar array proposed in the Town of Maple Creek. The hearing provided residents an opportunity to comment while the committee reiterated it has authority only over a potential sale of city property, not the solar array outside city limits.
The hearing drew multiple speakers from Maple Creek who described the proposed solar array as a poor use of prime farmland that would harm property values and wildlife. “It's prime farmland, class 1, a terrible use of resources,” said Paul Zemer, a Maple Creek resident. Zemer also said the town board is “unanimously against it” and urged city officials to weigh community impacts beyond the money the city would receive.
Other speakers repeated concerns about scale, visual impacts and proximity to water. “It's gonna affect wildlife and environmental impact as well,” said Trey First, a Maple Creek resident, noting the project area’s proximity to local watersheds. Paul Gitter, who identified himself as from the Town of Maple Creek, also told the committee he would be “completely surrounded by these solar panels on all four sides” and opposed the project.
Committee members and staff clarified jurisdictional limits during the hearing. The committee chair noted the solar array location is “well beyond the city limits and outside the city's judicial authority,” and that the only decision the city could make is whether to sell municipal land for a maintenance facility and substation. Mayor Mark suggested inviting the Maple Creek town board to a future meeting so the two bodies can discuss each other’s perspectives.
No formal action was taken at the meeting. The committee opened the public hearing, accepted public comment and then closed the hearing; committee members said no decision on a land sale was intended that night. The committee agreed to invite the Maple Creek town board to a future meeting for further discussion and input.
The record of public comments and the committee’s next steps on outreach will be part of the committee’s consideration as the city evaluates any potential sale of property to Avangrid.
