Solar power added to Edgartown warrant

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Edgartown selectmen added an article to the December 16 special town meeting warrant that would clear the way for a town sponsored solar power project.

The proposal, added by the selectmen at Monday’s regular meeting, would authorize selectmen to secure land and negotiate agreements for a large-scale solar power generation system to supply town buildings with electricity.

Town counsel Ronald Rappaport told selectmen that a vote of town meeting is required for selectmen to enter into long-term contracts for power purchase agreements, renewable energy certificate contracts, renewable energy project development agreements, leases of land or buildings, or other financial agreements relating to solar power development.

Town officials are exploring a solar project that could generate enough power to supply all town buildings with electricity. The project would operate as part of the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative. It would require two separate six-acre parcels of land to construct the solar array.

The special town meeting, set for December 16, also includes several technical articles and a measure to begin the process of withdrawing from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

In other action Monday, selectmen set December 14 at 4 pm as the date and time for a public hearing on a proposed bylaw that would further limit noise from construction projects. They declined a proposal from state officials to assume responsibility for some maintenance of state roads.

Also, town administrator Pam Dolby outlined a new procedure for creating the selectmen’s agenda, effective immediately. In order to comply with new open meeting laws, agenda items must be submitted by noon on Thursday, to be included on the agenda for the meeting on the following Monday.