HomeMy WebLinkAboutComment letter Salas FW_ TJA Clean Energy Request for DeterminationFrom: Karle, Darcy
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 10:02 AM
To: Cavanaugh, Kimberly
Subject: comment le er Salas FW: TJA Clean Energy Request for
Determina on
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Good morning Kim,
Please forward this comment le er to the Commissioners and copy the Laserfiche file.
Thank you
From: annesalas@comcast.net <annesalas@comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 7:56 AM
To: Karle, Darcy <Darcy.Karle@town.barnstable.ma.us>
Subject: TJA Clean Energy Request for Determina on
Dear Ms. Karle, Please forward to the Conserva on Commission at your earliest convenience. Thank
you.
Dear Commissioners,
Re: Feb. 13 hearing, IV., A. Request for Determina on:
In November of 2019 the Planning Board voted not to approve this Residen al zone, 5MW, 21 acre
project. Proponent TJA Clean Energy, LLC withdrew the proposal before Town Council could vote on it.
In April of 2021 TJA filed suit against the town at MA Land Court. Since then, under duress of this
lawsuit, the project has been approved by the town. TJA's a orney was prominent in rewri ng our
Solar Zoning bylaws.
In July of 2023 the case was Dismissed with Prejudice, as TJA received the permi ng and condi ons
they sought. TJA cannot li gate this ma er again.
However, on December 27, 2021 the Town purchased 830 Wakeby Rd., designated Conserva on
Restric on, with a state drinking water grant for the protec on of the Hayden Well Field. Hayden Well
Field is ac vely used by C-O-MM, supplying 30,000 people. It extends for many miles under and past
the project site towards Cotuit where the town conserved great tracks of land to preserve this
important water resource.
Town owned 830 Wakeby Conserva on Restric on property abuts TJA’s project site 810 Wakeby Rd.
The ZBA granted TJA’s setback appeal from 100’ reduced to 10’ at the 830 Wakeby property line.
TJA Clean Energy never provided a Hazardous Materials list for the project. Instead they submi ed a 2
page Le er of Assurance.
Solar panels contain some of the deadliest, carcinogenic chemicals known. It is impera ve to know
the quan ty in each panel to calculate the threat to our water supply in the event of a fire or
hurricane when glass panels break releasing contaminates into the ground.
TJA’s 2023 plans/submissions have not confirmed the number of transformers entailed. The
Decommissioning Plan states 48. TJA a orney said there would be 6, then 4 and even 2, at different
mee ngs before different boards. The 2019 plan indicated 12 transformers.
TJA provided spec data for 6 different transformers, each containing 900-1800 gallons of oil. Research
indicates this oil must be changed annually, allowing for significant spill poten al every year.
The Fire Dept. states it must and will have a “Let it Burn” policy in the event of a fire to avoid PFAS
foam contamina on. The setback to the 17 abu ng families, is 140’ a er ZBA reduc ons.
The Wetlands Protec on Act references drinking water supplies as protected.
Our community, with all urgency, requests the Commission to find this project and its proximity to
drinking water resources, indeed the Hayden well field lies beneath 810 Wakeby, within your
jurisdic on to deny approval.
Thank you for your a en on.
Sincerely,
Anne Salas
145 Mockingbird Lane
Marstons Mills
774 521 8810
annesalas@comcast.net