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Uxbridge planning board continues two battery-storage hearings after developers update designs and residents raise safety concerns
Summary
Developers presented revised battery storage designs for 374 Hazel Street and 404 Blackstone Street, noting updated equipment and new fire-safety measures; residents urged waiting for state siting guidance. The board continued both public hearings to June 25 for more detailed plans and distance data.
The Town of Uxbridge Planning Board on Wednesday continued public hearings for two proposed battery-storage facilities — at 374 Hazel Street and 404 Blackstone Street — after developers described equipment changes and residents raised safety and siting concerns.
Tom Corbett, representing the applicant and identified in the record as a developer for the projects, told the board that a noise consultant and Graves (town engineering) had "signed off" on parts of the submissions and that the outstanding issue was public safety. Corbett said he and his engineer met with the fire department and that the design now includes a vehicle turnaround and an auxiliary fire alarm panel located outside the fenced equipment area so emergency responders can observe system status without entering the fenced compound. He also said the applicant is proposing a newer PowerTitan 2 system that reduces the on-site footprint and that a sound-mitigation kit is available for the equipment.
Residents speaking during the public-comment period urged caution. Bev Gudnowski (41 East Street) asked the board to defer final action until the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs finishes proposed siting guidance, saying the state has recommended prioritizing already-developed sites and excluding certain sensitive areas. "It's toxic and it's dangerous and it will burn down," Gudnowski said of battery facilities, urging the board to avoid residential and agricultural land where possible and to consider longer-term liability for owners who lease land to such projects.
Board members pressed the developer for additional technical details the board requested: revised plans depicting the auxiliary panel and turnaround, a revised noise report showing the PowerTitan 2 model and its mitigation kit, the distance from the nearest residences to the equipment pads, and any final comments from Code Red/fire officials. Planning staff said they expected the developer to provide a revised plan set and supporting documentation so Graves and public-safety officials could provide final review.
A motion to continue the public hearing for the special permit at 374 Hazel Street to June 25 at 6 p.m. was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also moved and approved continuing the special-permit hearing for 404 Blackstone Street to the same date.
What happens next: the applicants will submit revised plans and technical documentation; staff and Graves will circulate comments, and the board will reconvene the hearings on June 25 at 6 p.m.
