The Planning Board heard extensive and impassioned testimony about the proposed solar development on Fearing Hill Road on August 9, despite the fact that the applicant’s representative, Joseph Shanahan, was not present.

The plan for an extensive solar array to be built on what is currently forested land has drawn passionate criticism from neighbors and those concerned about the environment. 

Shanahan chose not to attend the meeting, Town Planner Ken Buckland said, because the applicant and the town have not yet selected a hydrogeologist to conduct a study determining the impact the project would have on stormwater runoff in the area. 

His absence from the meeting drew anger from some of those who spoke against the project, who said it was disrespectful of him to skip the meeting.

Several members of the public said they didn’t think the town should be working with the developer to select an expert to evaluate the site, but Buckland said that was the process outlined in state law. If the developer doesn’t like the hydrogeologist, the developer can refuse to pay for the study, Buckland said.

Tricia Wurtz, who ran a write-in campaign for Select Board this spring, voiced concerns about the noise level at the site. She said that such projects are generally not allowed to increase the ambient noise level at a site by more than ten decibels. Wurtz said that she was concerned that various elements of the project, like inverters and fans, might exceed that noise limits. 

Eric Lintell said he had conducted research and found that the site lay along the documented route the Wampanoags took for centuries along the Wareham River — the trail appears on several maps from before the 1940s. Such routes are protected and could contain valuable archaeological evidence.

Board members discussed a tree survey — a count of the trees to be cut down on the property — which the applicant has not yet completed, and wondered whether they had the authority to determine how such a survey should be completed. Lisa Morales said that if the company plans to cut down 100 percent of the trees, they should have to count 100 percent of the trees. 

Several impassioned neighbors said that the solar development would impinge on their ability to enjoy the nature that had drawn them to purchase a home in the area.

The hearing was continued.