’26 Article 31 – Long-Term Lease Agreement re: Solar Array on the Capped Landfill

Shall the Town authorize the Select Board to enter into a long-term lease agreement for up to twenty (20) years with Kearsarge Solar LLC, or its successors or assignees, to lease a portion of Town-owned property located on Hardart’s Way (constituting the closed, capped Town landfill) for the construction, installation, and operation of a solar array, on such terms and conditions as determined by the Select Board and to authorize the Select Board to take any other actions necessary to carry out this vote.

Further, to see if the Town shall vote to authorize the Select Board to negotiate and execute a net metering agreement, PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes), and such other agreements related and incidental to the lease of the parcel for that purpose on such terms as the Select Board deems reasonable.

What it means: The Town has the opportunity to lease the closed capped Town landfill on Hardart’s Way, for the purpose of constructing and installing a solar array which would benefit the Town with revenue from Kearsarge Solar LLC (the lessee).  In addition, the Town could negotiate a net metering agreement with the lessee to share in the benefits of the electricity generated by the solar panels to help reduce the cost of electricity required by DPW.

Those in favor say: Those in favor pointed out that this is an opportunity to take advantage of the unused Town-owned land.  There would be two positive impacts on the budget – the lease revenue and the potential of an offset to electricity costs for DPW.

Those opposed say: There was no opposition to this Article, but concerns were expressed about costs of maintaining the panels, as well as possible damage to the membrane to the covered landfill that could cause gasses to escape. The response to this concern was that the agreement would include provisions that these responsibilities and associated costs would be borne by the leasing party, not the Town.

Fiscal impact: No immediate tax impact. There is a possibility of expense offsets and/or revenue in the future.