Marshfield Approves Affordable Housing Project, Debates Battery Storage Zoning

Town Meeting Authorizes Land Disposition, Rejects Energy Storage Regulations

MARSHFIELD - December 17 - Marshfield residents gathered for the second night of the Special Town Meeting on Dec. 17, 2024, voting to advance an affordable housing initiative while rejecting proposed zoning changes for battery energy storage systems.

The town voted to authorize the Select Board to declare a 0.8-acre parcel at 1929 Main Street available for disposition, with the intent of creating affordable housing. The land, which includes an existing family homestead, is slated for conversion into an affordable housing unit.

Town Administrator Michael Maresco provided context for the decision, stating, "Tonight, before town meeting, this article, we have to go all the way back to June of 2020 and this parcel of land was the McCleary land and it was purchased for open space and affordable housing."

Maresco explained that the goal is to put an affordable unit in the existing house. "The Housing Trust will work with possibly Habitat [for Humanity] to put the affordable housing unit in there, which was authorized back on June 22nd, 2020," he said.

The article passed by majority vote, paving the way for the development of much-needed affordable housing in Marshfield.

In a separate matter, the town debated a proposed zoning bylaw amendment regarding battery energy storage systems (BESS). The Planning Board sought to regulate the placement of these facilities, aiming to direct them away from well supplies and areas with smaller lots and flooding concerns.

Greg Guimond, Town Planner, explained the motivation behind the proposed changes. "Recently, the Planning Board, our Planning Department, saw a draft proposal to locate a battery energy storage system in the Furnace Brook Zone 2, adjacent to an elementary school," he said.

Guimond added, "After doing research on the subject, the Planning Department has prepared zoning language to direct such facilities away from the town's well supplies and parts of the town with smaller lots and flooding concerns."

The proposed amendment sparked debate among town meeting attendees. Selectman Eric Kelley expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with battery storage systems, particularly in relation to fire safety.

"You know, we hear about the fires with the batteries, especially in the EVs and all that, and they're very difficult to put out to my understanding," Kelley said.

Fire Chief Mike LaSelva addressed these concerns, stating, "We've been dealing with photovoltaic solar panels on roofs for years now, and as the technology evolves, it does get safer." He added, "They're inherently dangerous just like anything else, but like I said, the technology has evolved to where they are. They're safe, but they're not a hundred percent safe."

The article amending the zoning bylaws passed by the required two-thirds majority vote. As did the linked article that followed.

The second night saw less contentious articles than night one, found here.

The full meeting is available via Marshfield Community Media.