Planning report: town selected for MWRC communications project; staff to track energy storage regulations, ARPA GIS funds nearly spent

At the Oct. 20 meeting, planning staff updated the board on several administrative items: Southborough was selected for a regional MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC) communications and engagement project, the town is tracking Department of Energy Resources (DOER) regulations on energy storage siting, and remaining ARPA funds for GIS mapping updates are nearly exhausted.

MWRC project: Southborough, Wellesley and Natick were chosen; staff forwarded the notification to town leaders and asked the select board's representative to serve as the local point of contact. Staff said the MWRC work will involve outreach and engagement and that a representative from the town will coordinate with the collaborative.

Energy storage and siting: staff reported DOER has issued regulations and draft guidance arising from 2024 climate legislation that change how energy storage systems (ESS) are sited; the regulations will require municipalities to follow standards by Dec. 1, 2026, though some guidance documents remain outstanding. Staff noted the regulations could treat certain battery storage projects similarly to the Dover approach and that local bylaw updates may be needed.

ARPA and GIS: staff said ARPA-funded GIS mapping updates are nearly complete and a remaining project with Lucas Environmental to update the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS)/Open Space database is expected to finish before the ARPA expenditure deadline.

Next steps: staff will continue monitoring DOER guidance, forward workshop notices to the board and work with the select board on outreach for the MWRC project. The board requested staff to gather examples from other towns on continuance fees, which appeared on a MassPlanners forum as a potential local tool.