Selectmen approve single bid to lease landfill for solar array; 35-year term, operation targeted for 2027

The Board of Selectmen voted July 14 to accept a recommendation to proceed with a proposal to install a solar array on the town landfill and authorized Town Manager Greg Colby to complete contract steps. Why it matters: The project would put otherwise unused landfill acreage into revenue-producing use and supply electricity; selectmen described the proposal as a way to generate recurring lease income for the town while supporting municipal energy needs. Details: Town staff said only one firm submitted a response to the RFP after a pre-proposal meeting in which five firms attended but only one bid. The responding firm proposed a long-term lease of about 35 years and included a projected timeline that would make the project operational in 2027, accounting for an estimated 18-month setup. Selectmen noted the proposal shows the company has significant corporate assets and prior projects; the firm’s packet listed roughly $650 million in assets. Environmental and construction notes: Selectmen and staff said the project would use surface-mounted cribbing and rock cribbing rather than intensive excavation; they do not expect major ground disturbance or building construction and said the configuration is similar to other landfill solar projects they visited. Decision and next steps: Selectman Tyler moved to accept the RFP recommendation and the board seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The town manager was authorized to finalize contract terms and move toward permitting and construction scheduling.