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Park and Recreation Commission declines to support solar canopies at Haskell Field
Summary
The Park and Recreation Commission voted 1–3 against expressing support for a proposed solar‑canopy installation at Haskell Field parking lots, citing concerns about aesthetics, safety for recreation users and insufficient prior notice; design review may return to the Commission once detailed plans are complete.
Mara Huston, chair of the Park and Recreation Commission, presided over debate and a vote on a proposed solar‑canopy installation at Haskell Field parking lots that ended with the Commission declining to support the project as presented.
Commissioner Granger Atkenson moved that the commission support the installation "as presented," subject to a future review once the project design is complete; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bobby Beagan and failed on a 1–3 roll call (Granger yes; Bobby no; Laurie Eliason no; Mara Huston no).
Sandra Duran (Combined Facilities Director) provided a high‑level overview and introduced Bryon Woodman of Select Energy to answer technical questions. Woodman described a financing model and said construction was expected to take about "12 to 14 weeks" with minimal lot closure and that the canopies would have a 14‑foot low point to allow emergency vehicles and snowplows to fit underneath. He also said there "would not be a loss of many parking spaces." Commissioners nonetheless raised concerns about parking access during construction, the impact on recreation users during peak seasons, and safety and visibility for young children in areas adjacent to active fields.
Commissioners discussed alternative sites mentioned by staff, including the Curtis Middle School lot, the Police Station lot and the Fairbank Community Center roof, the latter of which staff said has been prepared to accept panels. Several commissioners said this was the first they had heard of the project and expressed frustration at the timing and level of advance briefing.
Granger Atkenson volunteered to represent the commission at the December Town Meeting if questions about the article arise. The commission also agreed to schedule a dedicated capital‑planning meeting to review survey results and forthcoming design materials before taking additional positions on large capital projects.
Next steps: the Commission did not adopt a formal endorsement of the Haskell solar proposal; staff and the project proponent may return with completed designs for further review.
