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Resident raises compliance concerns about local solar project; administrators update board on wells, cable franchise and property testing
Summary
At the June 29 meeting a resident detailed alleged drainage, culvert and fuel‑storage issues at a nearby solar project and said abutters got late notice; staff said Code Enforcement, DES and town engineers have inspected the site. The board also heard updates on Well #5 (offline for distribution), a Breezeline franchise proposal under review, and ongoing testing and counsel work related to the former fire station (277) property.
A Farmington resident urged the board on June 29 to follow up on what he described as a series of compliance and neighborhood‑notice problems at a nearby solar installation, and the board directed staff to verify oversight and enforcement steps.
Resident Ted Dowdy told the board he had observed culverts filled on an emergency access road off Dodge Cross Road, above‑ground fuel tanks on the site and repeated dust and noise, and he said neighbors were given late notice about the project. "When you look out your back window... that’s what I see — the noise at 6 o’clock in the morning, the dust in my house, in my car," Dowdy said. He asked whether town staff and inspectors were monitoring on‑site work.
Chairman Charlie King and Town Administrator Jason Henry said the town has Code Enforcement oversight, outside engineering review (TF Moran) and the town’s engineer (Tighe & Bond) involved in reviews, and that the state Department of Environmental Services (DES) has visited the site. Henry said staff will follow up and asked code enforcement and planning staff to verify compliance with approved plans and permit conditions.
Separately, Henry briefed the board on several administrative items: Well #5 has been taken offline for distribution because of high manganese and will only be exercised for emergency readiness, not to feed the system; the town received a Breezeline franchise/contract proposal that staff will compare to the existing agreement and send to counsel for review; and the town is working with Attorney Keriann Roman on additional testing and abutter notifications needed before the town can move forward with sale or redevelopment of the former fire station parcel (referred to in packet as the '277 property').
The board gave Henry consensus to pursue preliminary inquiries into the Rural Health Transformation Program for potential public‑safety building or EMS infrastructure funding; Henry will return with eligibility findings.
