Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board to request water testing near school after residents raise concerns about older solar panels
Summary
Board directed staff to investigate and draft a letter requesting water-sample testing from the school district after residents raised concerns that chemicals in solar panels manufactured before 2019 could leach into nearby wells; officials said they will consult an engineering firm to determine appropriate tests.
A board member asked the Town of Maine to re-open a request for water-sample testing tied to solar panels installed at a local school, citing prior concerns and a previously sent letter whose receipt the speaker questioned.
The concern centers on chemicals used in some solar panels manufactured before 2019 that speakers said can leach and potentially contaminate groundwater. The board member asked the town attorney and staff to locate the prior correspondence, determine whether the district received the request and, if necessary, to draft a new letter requesting water testing. Officials noted there is no single short test that detects all possible compounds and suggested consulting an engineering firm to determine which specific tests are appropriate (for example, a targeted suite versus an expanded panel that tests for many compounds).
Town staff agreed to reach out to the former sender (an attorney named Ernie was referenced), confirm what was done previously, consult experts on which tests are appropriate and return to the board with a recommendation at the next meeting. No test results were reported during the meeting, and no testing contract or funding source was specified.
