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Company pitches option to lease Halifax landfill for solar project; board will seek legal review
Summary
Developers presented a proposed option‑to‑lease and site studies for a solar-plus‑battery installation at Hemlock Lane landfill, offering a $5,000 option fee and proposing a two‑year study window; the board agreed to send the draft agreement to town counsel for review amid public questions about capping, permitting and decommissioning bonds.
A group seeking to study and potentially develop a solar‑plus‑battery project on the Hemlock Lane landfill presented an option‑to‑lease to the Halifax Board of Selectmen Tuesday, offering an immediate option payment of $5,000 and a two‑year initial study period (renewable at $5,000 annually) to complete surveys, interconnection analysis and permitting.
The presenter described a path that, if the site proved feasible and DEP and utility approvals were obtained, would lead to a long‑term lease for construction and operation (the presenter cited a 25‑year initial lease as a baseline). Ballpark estimates provided to the board projected roughly $2 million in town benefit over a 25‑year period (rising for longer lease terms), covering projected rent and personal property tax payments tied to improvements. The presenter emphasized that the company would pay for studies and most risk during the feasibility phase.
Town staff and counsel cautioned that prior feasibility work had flagged a landfill cap issue that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection would require addressed before construction could proceed. The town’s representative asked that the package be sent to town counsel for review. The company representative said remediation and cleanup requirements, as set by DEP, would be conditions of permitting and that the developer would be responsible for any damage, and would provide a decommissioning bond to cover removal and restoration at project end.
Residents raised concerns about hazardous materials and long‑term decommissioning costs. Amy Troupe urged that the board ensure a robust decommissioning bond and clear legal obligations around cap repairs; the presenter agreed that town counsel review and DEP permitting would be important safeguards.
Selectmen agreed to forward the draft option/lease to town counsel for review and to return the item for further discussion once legal feedback is available. No lease or financial commitment was approved at this meeting; the board directed staff to pursue legal review and follow up.
