Solar4Sharon is filled with false and misleading statements.

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“approved….. the town and its citizens unanimously voted in favor of this project…”.

Misleading – If you don’t consider a vote of 14 people the unanimous opinion of the town.  The vote was at a Special Town Meeting in August of 2022 that parents of the students of Sharon Center School, adjacent property owners, and other stake holders were not notified of.  

“The solar array will take up only 25% of the space (0.73 acres of 2.83-acre lot). “

Misleading! The solar array will use about 75% of the usable space of the Kelemen Nature Trail, while removing 11 of the 12 trees. Review the P&Z application submission site plan below. The map of the proposed solar site clearly shows that the array will use most of the site.

“This lot has not been maintained. Invasive plant species have taken over several trees, the signage is no longer legible, and the exercise equipment is deteriorated beyond use.”

False! - The main signage is a bit faded, but still can be read. (It is 35 years old) There is an intact metal obstacle course with no broken equipment that is still used by members of the community and students. Take a look for yourself or review the pictures on the website. It is a lovely meadow with beautiful mature trees.

“The roof was, in fact, the first placement choice and a lot of time was spent with school officials investigating how to make it happen. Unfortunately, the flat roof cannot support the structure because:”

False! Doug Rick of SEEC stated that the first choice was the parking lot, the second choice was the raised metal roof, and they then selected the Nature Trail location.
 

“1. the town spent $600,000 for a new roof this year and making any holes in the roof to secure the panels would void the warranty;”

False! Most current flat roof solar arrays use a ballasted system and do not puncture the roof. Many reputable solar companies will warranty their work and the roof they are using.
 

“2. not enough panels can be installed on the roof; and”

What is enough? The proposed system at Sharon Center School is twice as large as Housatonic High School’s and Sharon Center School has fewer than 25% of the students. This is total overkill and will benefit no one except the solar company.  

“3. the existing HVAC equipment on the roof would cast shadows which reduce efficiency.”

The planned location on the Keleman Nature Trail is bordered by 100 ft + trees. This will shade the array far more than the limited HVAC equipment on the flat roof. Please refer to the picture of the school’s flat roof. 

“Currently, the “trail” is nothing more than an overgrown path of invasive plant species, broken equipment, and uneven terrain. “

False! Please visit the Kelemen Nature Trail and look at the photos we have provided. This is not an overgrown path with broken equipment.

“This solar project will not only enhance the trail, but provide new educational opportunities for the children.”

False! How will putting 456 solar panels that sit 10 ft tall, surrounded by a 7 foot tall chain link fence enhance the Keleman Nature Trail or teach children to protect nature and open space? 

“The lay of the land and direction of waterflow prevents any runoff from happening during storms.”

False! The Kelemen Nature Trail is on a hill sloped towards an important Wetlands. Last time we checked, water runs downhill. Both an environmental engineer and an environmental scientist have reviewed the plans and provided an engineering report and letter, with major concerns about the environmental impact of storm water on the wetlands. In fact, a stormwater management report was never submitted with the Planning & Zoning Application. This is a major omission and was never addressed.

“An official environmental survey of the town lot was conducted in 2022 and it did not find any Bog Turtles”

Misleading! The “survey” was done of the Kelemen Nature Trail property that is a dry meadow. Bog turtles live in bogs and wetlands, not dry meadows, so of course they wouldn’t find them on the proposed solar site.  This “survey” was a farce. Our concern is the solar arrays impact on the abutting wetlands and bog turtle habitat.  

“Will the solar array disturb local bear habitat?

These creatures are very adaptable…the abundance of the region’s mixed forest habitat provides them with plenty of high-quality habitat in which to access the resources necessary for survival.”

Don’t care – SEEC appears not to care about disrupting the local Bears that pass through the Nature Trail and consider it habitat. With the solar array and chain link fence, the bears would have nowhere to go but resident’s lawns or the school playground.

“This question you will be voting on is deceptively worded and will undoubtedly confuse many voters”

QUESTION FOR VOTE: “Shall the Town of Sharon voluntarily relinquish community recreational property at the Sharon Center School playground extension for the purpose of leasing that land to a third party for the installation of a 400+ solar panel array?”

This is exactly what is happening and is 100% true. The town would be leasing the land to a third party (the Connecticut Green Bank) to build a 400+ panel solar array for 20 years and are giving up the Sharon Center School playground extension to do this. Those are the facts and there is nothing deceptive in the wording.