Blandford Solar Committee Chooses 18-Percent Overlay Map, Cancels Hearing

BLANDFORD -- April 1, 2026, Blandford solar bylaw committee backs 18-percent land overlay, scraps Friday public hearing. The committee voted unanimously to recommend Scenario Two, covering roughly 18 percent of Blandford's land area, or approximately 6,122 acres, as the geographic basis for a proposed solar overlay district, rejecting the more restrictive Scenario One at roughly 7 percent after members cited research indicating the state Attorney General is unlikely to approve overlays below 10 percent of a town's land. GIS consultant Jacob, joining remotely, clarified a labeling error that had caused both printed maps to be marked "Scenario Two" and agreed to cross-check his parcel data against an assessor's Chapter 61 land list provided by Conservation Commission member Dick. The committee also voted unanimously to retain a 100-foot solar setback despite information that the AG has accepted 50-foot setbacks in other communities, with members arguing Blandford's rural character warrants greater separation. A planned public hearing on the draft solar bylaw was canceled after the facilitating member said the draft contains unresolved material changes, including a restructured three-tier battery storage permitting framework that would require only building and electrical inspection for residential Tier 1 systems, and a clean version is not ready for public review.