Stratford Select Board hears Kearsarge Energy presentation on proposed solar project and PILOT plan

Select Board member Clayton Macdonald recused himself from the discussion of a proposed Stratford solar project by Kearsarge Energy and appointed Select Board member Harry Juergens to chair that agenda item. Representatives from Kearsarge — Cassie Eilert and Andrew Berstein — presented slides describing the company and the proposed project.

According to the presentation, Kearsarge “is an independent company that holds its projects as long-term assets” and consistently meets its tax obligations. Andrew Berstein said the company uses U.S.-manufactured materials and local labor and offers economic, social and educational programs as part of its projects. He said the installation would not involve hazardous materials and that the town and the landowner would be named on a letter of credit to guarantee end-of-life dismantling and site restoration. He also noted planned upgrades to local electrical grid infrastructure tied to the project.

Suzanne, speaking from the meeting record, told the board that a public hearing is required before the town can approve any PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) arrangement. No formal vote on a PILOT plan or land-use change occurred at the meeting; Kearsarge’s presentation was informational and next steps would include scheduling the required public hearing and additional review by the town.

The Select Board did not take a formal vote on the PILOT or on any land-use change at this meeting. The board’s next procedural step is to hold the public hearing required by town process before considering any PILOT approval or related town action.