Board approves limited notice to proceed for Hemlock Ridge tree clearing; company seeks bond waiver

AES development manager Jack Donnellan updated the board on the Hemlock Ridge solar project and requested permission to perform a small amount of tree clearing before posting the project’s full decommissioning bond. Donnellan said the project is nearing construction readiness and described the immediate work as limited hedgerow clearing of roughly 0.4 acres ahead of a planned July start for heavier civil work. "This project's been in development for quite a long time, and... we're kinda right at the goal line, ready to to get to construction," he said.

Don­nellan told the board the decommissioning bond was estimated in 2021 at about $10,000,000 to cover the full cost of removing panels, steel, and restoring the site. AES asked the town to waive that bond for the very limited, early tree‑clearing activity because the small clearing would not involve heavy equipment or decommissioning expenses. He added the company will update the estimate before full construction and that the town would be able to review the bond amount and supporting calculations.

After public questions about wetlands, timing and the bond‑update process, a motion was made and seconded to grant a limited notice to proceed for tree clearing by waiving the full bond requirement for this limited phase. The motion passed on a voice vote; named affirmations recorded in the transcript included Kirk, Lehi, Margaret and Dave, with a total of six recorded "ayes." The board directed staff to finalize the limited notice documentation for the developer.

The board’s action applies only to the limited tree‑clearing phase, not to full construction; AES said heavier construction would begin around July and the company is aiming to complete the project around 2028.