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The April 6 meeting of the Sudbury Finance Committee (FinCom) included extensive deliberation on several articles at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. Three of the articles discussed (articles 33, 34, and 35) included solar canopy projects at Haskell Field, the Sudbury Police Station, and Ephraim Curtis Middle School.
The projects would not generate revenue for the Town, but they are expected to significantly reduce the Town’s electricity bills, which ultimately frees up money in the operating budget.
Following a discussion with Rami Alwan, Chair of the Energy and Sustainability Committee, the FinCom voted unanimously to recommend approval of all three solar projects to Town Meeting.
As deliberation wound down, Member Ryan Lynch expressed his support with a clear explanation: “Are we comfortable from a location perspective, and what that means for the look and feel of the town? That’s something the town is going to have to answer, but I think strictly from a financial perspective, [there is] no capital outlay, and we yield some savings.”
Member Andrew Bettinelli added “I do think we should recommend approval, even though I find, personally, the economics as presented to be underwhelming. To the extent that we’re realizing a couple hundred thousand in savings with no cost to the town, I think it would be worth authorizing the town to pursue the best available deal that it can negotiate.”
The Sudbury Park and Recreation Commission has voiced frustration with the process used to advance the project at Haskell Field, but the purview of the FinCom is purely financial.
Annual Town Meeting kicks off on Monday, May 4.