By Bradford L. Miner TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
NORTH BROOKFIELD — A nearly played-out gravel pit off Hillsville Road is the most recent Central Massachusetts site proposed for a solar power project.
William J. Regienus of Barre, site adviser for Scituate-based Ansar Energy, told selectmen approximately 25 acres of a 100-acre tract owned by David A. Vandale would be reclaimed under terms of a 15-year lease for the project, which uses photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight into electricity.
Junaid Yasin, Ansar president, said yesterday the company proposes developing 14 sites across the state as part of a single project, all in the 2- to 5-megawatt range, for a 30-megawatt contract with National Grid.
Mr. Yasin said bids are due by Feb. 19 and the company should know by May if its bid is successful.
He said the largest project is planned for Westminster, with other Central Massachusetts sites proposed for Bellingham, Uxbridge, Hubbardston, New Braintree, North Brookfield and Orange.
“For us to move forward in any community, whether on public or private land, we would want good, strong, local support,” he said.
Genevieve Stillman of New Braintree said yesterday some residents are concerned that the proposed 22-acre solar panel array on Denis Long’s Hardwick Road property would detract from the pastoral look of the center of town.
“I know some folks are very concerned about the impact this would have on the value of their homes,” she said.
Mrs. Stillman said there are more appropriate sites in the community for a renewable energy project, suggesting state-owned land at the State Police Academy as one possibility.
Mr. Regienus told the board the photovoltaic panel array would be non-polluting; not visible from any roadway or abutting property; secured by a fence and on-site security system; and would require no town services for the tax income it would generate.
He estimated the project could generate up to $15,000 a year for the landowner and the town.
Jason Petraitis, board chairman, said yesterday that based on what he had heard, the solar project would be good for the town.
Mr. Yasin said yesterday the company, if successful, would begin simultaneous construction on the majority of its projects in the fourth quarter of 2010 to take advantage of federal stimulus money.
