Simsbury board approves $17,475 peer‑review contract and votes to seek party/intervener status in Hot Meadow Street solar siting

The Simsbury board on April 9 approved a contract not to exceed $17,475 to hire Clough Harbor & Associates LLP (CHA) to perform an independent third‑party peer review of application CC‑26‑02‑200 (Hot Meadow Street, SL Simsbury LLC) and voted to file for party and/or intervener status in the state siting council proceeding.

The board moved and approved the CHA engagement after S6 read a motion adopting the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency’s recommendation. The motion said the review shall substantially conform to the applicant’s proposal for services dated March 31, 2026, and directed the town manager to execute a contract. The voice vote was recorded as 6 in favor, 0 opposed.

Board members then discussed whether the town should formally seek standing in the siting council matter. S1 noted the town had previously submitted a December 30 letter with conditions and that the applicant and the Conservation Commission had addressed many of the town’s…