Hanover Explores Solar Array, Addresses High EMS Call Volume

Officials consider renewable energy project at transfer station; Benchmark Senior Living discusses emergency call concerns

HANOVER, MA - July 15 - The Hanover Select Board on Monday explored the possibility of installing a solar array at the town transfer station, a project that could generate renewable energy and cost savings with minimal upfront investment.

Intern Sean presented research on solar potential for town-owned properties, with the transfer station emerging as having the greatest potential despite a slightly lower suitability rating.

"I'm excited about this. I've been waiting for it since we have a transfer station," said Select Board Chair Vanessa O'Connor.

Several nearby communities have pursued similar projects, including Scituate, Braintree and East Bridgewater. Sean and other town staff recently visited Scituate's solar site, where officials reported positive results and higher-than-expected energy credits.

Private energy firm Ameresco is conducting a preliminary review of the transfer station site at no cost to Hanover. Sean explained two potential contract structures:

"There's a purchase power agreement, which Hanover would retain ownership of the land and basically lease it out to whatever private firm was contracted with," he said. "Or there's an energy saving performance contract, which Hanover would have greater ownership over the land and the panels, but it would be at a greater cost to install them and to maintain them as well."

The purchase power agreement structure has worked best for most other towns, Sean noted. Any solar installation would likely require voter approval at a future town meeting.

In other business, representatives from Benchmark Senior Living met with the board to address concerns about the high volume of emergency calls coming from their assisted living facility on Broadway.

Fire Chief Jay Cavallaro said call volumes have exceeded initial projections since the facility opened nearly two years ago.

"When we first anticipated the facility opening...we projected or estimated a certain amount of calls," Cavallaro said. "One of the reasons why we're here is because that proved to be a little bit less than reality."

Heather Calgo of Benchmark explained the facility is licensed as assisted living, not as a medical or skilled nursing facility, limiting on-site medical care.

"We are restricted within our scope of practice in regards to what we're able to do in a assisted living residence in the state of Massachusetts," Calgo said.

Staff must call 911 for unwitnessed falls or when residents request emergency services, even if a nurse's assessment doesn't deem it medically necessary. The facility currently has nurses on site until 10 p.m. but not overnight.

Board members suggested having a nurse on-site 24/7 could help triage calls and potentially reduce unnecessary 911 responses. Calgo said she would bring that idea back to Benchmark leadership.

Chief Cavallaro noted the high call volume strains town emergency services: "The town services are - they're not maxed, but they're stretched thin on a daily basis."

Calgo said Benchmark is exploring options like non-emergency transport services used in other communities and retraining staff to better assess when 911 calls are necessary.