Halifax Board of Selectmen Welcomes New Member, Approves Solar Project
Smith joins board as selectmen reorganize leadership and approve host community agreement for Summit Street solar development
HALIFAX - May 27 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen welcomed Bill Smith as its newest member during the May 27 meeting, where the board also reorganized its leadership and approved a controversial solar project.
Smith, a former member of the finance committee and former police chief in a local community, joins Jonathan Selig and Thomas Pratt on the three-member board.
"I'd like to officially welcome Mr. Bill Smith to the board," Selig says. "Excited to have you on."
Following the welcome, the board conducted its annual reorganization, with Selig elected as chair, Pratt as vice chair, and Smith as clerk.
"In my opinion, all three of us are equal partners in this," Selig says after accepting the chairmanship. "I look forward to working with them. I look forward to getting our hands dirty and trying to lead the town through good times and bad."
The board approved a host community agreement for a solar project at 69 Summit Street, allowing the town to serve as host customer for the 1.6-megawatt solar installation. Laura Frazier from NuGen Capital Management requested the board's assistance to save the project after it was denied from the SMART program.
"We are asking if you can help us help this homeowner and this landlord help us save the project," Frazier explains. "NuGen would buy the project if we're able to secure the cap allocation."
The project has already received approvals from the planning board, zoning board, and conservation commission, but needs the town to serve as host customer to qualify for the state's net metering program.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad notes there appears to be no negative impact to the town serving as host customer, but questions remain about the benefits.
"There doesn't seem to be a negative to this. But I'm not sure what the benefit is to the community," Haddad says. "You also could be setting a precedent where if you become a host customer for one solar project... does that open the door for others in the future?"
Resident Chris Winiewicz expresses concern about limited tax benefits from solar projects in town.
"I just see these solar farms taking up vast amounts of land and don't get much back to the town," Winiewicz says.
Frazier addresses these concerns by noting NuGen's existing Halifax solar project pays $45,500 annually through a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement, and the company has never missed a payment.
The board unanimously approves the host community agreement after confirming the project would not impact the nearby town soccer fields.
The selectmen also discuss the potential need for a Proposition 2 1/2 override committee to address financial challenges facing the town.
"I think it's no secret that going forward, essentially almost every town in our area is facing financial struggles," Selig says. "Several have had overrides put on the ballot. If they haven't already, they will be probably in the following year."
Selig suggests forming a committee to investigate override possibilities, cost-saving measures, and revenue-generating ideas before budget season begins. The board agrees to explore the concept further.
In other business, the board:
- Approves a revised purchasing and procurement policy, increasing the purchase order threshold from $2,500 to $5,000
- Appoints Smith as the town's representative to GATRA (Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority)
- Approves a memorandum of agreement for Maria Bumpus to serve as acting library director and a consulting agreement with former director Jean Gallant
- Approves a revised agreement with Lighthouse Legal Services for HR services
Selig also provides an update on the regionalization study involving Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston. The study, funded by a grant at no cost to the town, will explore potential consolidation options for Silver Lake.
"The Collins Center will be in for our June 18 meeting to kind of go over the process with us," Selig says. "If anyone in the community has any desire to steer the Collins as to providing certain information... feel free to email me or the Selectman's office."
Selig emphasizes he's neither for nor against regionalization but believes the town should explore the option given current financial challenges.
"I definitely think in today's climate and in today's financial situation, we should at least kick the tires and take a look at it," he says.
Haddad also notes the town has filed litigation seeking an injunction regarding MBTA zoning requirements, with updates to follow as the case progresses.