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.