Ridgeway planning board reviews local solar projects, asks for tree replacements and bond paperwork

The Town of Ridgeway Planning Board on April 7 acknowledged receipt of a decommissioning bond for the Swett Road solar project and directed its code enforcement officer to follow up on tree replacements at another local solar site.

The board, led by Chairman Tom Fenton, asked Code Enforcement Officer Dan Wolfe to contact the project engineers and the solar company about replacement trees for the Beals Road solar project and to remind them not to use cedar trees because of nearby fruit orchards. Wolfe reported the bond for the Swett Road project had been received.

The board also heard an update on the Medina Solar special use permit for two parcels at 11074 and 11202 Ridge Road. Fenton said MRB had sent letters dated March 22, 2021 and received a response from C&S Engineering dated March 30; MRB will review that response and report back to the Planning Board.

Why it matters: local officials said tree species and replacement planting matter for neighboring orchards and could affect agricultural operations near solar arrays. The board's request to have code enforcement contact the project team signals the town's ongoing oversight role while technical reviews continue.

Board members did not take final action on the Medina Solar special use permit during the meeting; the item remains under review. The board recorded receipt of the Swett Road decommissioning bond, a required financial assurance intended to cover decommissioning costs at the end of a solar facility's life.

Next steps: MRB will complete its review of the C&S Engineering response and the Planning Board expects an update at a future meeting. Dan Wolfe will contact the engineers/solar company to press for appropriate replacement plantings and to advise on acceptable tree species.