Blandford Planning Board Approves PVPC Contract Despite Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

BLANDFORD — August 6, 2025 — Blandford Planning Board unanimously approves two contracts as solar applications mount. The newly reconstituted board voted to renew its service agreement with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on an as-needed basis and approved a $6,500 contract with Comprehensive Environmental Incorporated to peer-review a proposed solar installation at 30 Huntington Road. A resident named Colleen argued at length before the PVPC vote that the regional agency functions as an instrument of state policy, citing its involvement in producing a Master Resilience Plan she said preceded a federal solar-siting study identifying Blandford as a prime location for commercial development. The board acknowledged the concern but said the contract costs nothing unless services are actually used. Two solar applications — at 89 Chester Road and 39 Huntington Road — are in active review, a 50-megawatt project near the Eversource substation is on hold after DEP found wetlands improperly delineated, and Mission Clean Energy is scheduled to present its 200-megawatt proposal to a joint board meeting August 11. A special town meeting is tentatively planned for September 22 where residents will vote on three non-binding questions about whether the town should spend resources opposing Eversource, a second energy company, and solar farm development.