Andover Select Board to send legal guidance to Planning Board on solar moratorium

The Andover Select Board on Aug. 19 acknowledged receipt of a legal memorandum from Meredith Scott (Town Attorney's office) about the solar moratorium ordinance adopted at the June 2025 Annual Town Meeting and unanimously approved drafting formal guidance to the Planning Board and CEO.

Chair Brian Mills moved that the Select Board draft a letter responding to a Planning Board request for guidance and incorporate the legal memorandum; Justin Thacker seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously. Members said the letter should clarify how the moratorium applies to applications or projects that began prior to the moratorium’s effective date.

The legal memorandum was placed in the meeting packet earlier that day. The board also discussed an Ellis Trust letter concerning a proposed solar project near the Homestead (by the cemetery); the legal content of that letter was handled in executive session. Following executive session the board also voted to draft a letter to Mr. Hudspeth regarding the moratorium and to invite the Planning Board to the Sept. 2 Select Board meeting for further discussion.

Board members emphasized that the letter will use the town attorney’s memorandum as guidance and that Brianne Bailey will review the draft before it is finalized. No formal permit decisions were made at the meeting; the actions direct staff and counsel to provide formal guidance to the Planning Board.

What happens next: Chair Mills will prepare the draft letter using the memorandum and circulate it for review; the Planning Board will be invited to appear on Sept. 2.