Buckfield to vote on ordinance that would restrict commercial solar farms

Voters in the Town of Buckfield will see a Nov. 4 question asking whether an ordinance entitled the "Town of Buckfield solar farm ordinance" should be enacted. The ordinance, as written in the warrant packet, would limit commercial-scale solar installations in town.

A select-board member said the question gives taxpayers a direct choice: accept commercial solar revenue or preserve agricultural land. The presenter said the ordinance was prompted in part by the prior approval of a solar project on Maury Hill and by community concern after the town lacked a local ordinance or planning-board standard to reject large commercial projects on legal grounds.

Residents and board members asked how the ballot question is worded and why the language is limited. Officials responded that state statute constrains how an ordinance question appears on the ballot and that the ballot cannot include full ordinance text or attempt to persuade voters. The manager and others said the planning board had produced a separate draft ordinance but never finalized or voted on it; the warrant ordinance differs from that draft.

The select board took no final action at the Oct. 21 meeting; the proposed ordinance will appear for voter decision on Nov. 4. During the public hearing several residents asked for more detail on the ordinance’s scope and exceptions; officials said those technical details would be handled at the ordinance-drafting and permitting stage if voters approve the ballot question.

Clarifying details recorded at the hearing included references to a previously approved Maury Hill project, the existence of a planning-board draft that was not voted, and a town intent to give voters a choice about future commercial solar development.