Politics & Government
Health Concerns Raised in Solar Plant Debate
Residents and Planning Board members had questions about interference and the proposed plant's electromagnetic field.

Residents and Planning Board members raised new concerns about a proposed solar plant on Bullard Street at a hearing on the facility Thursday night.
A neighbor of the proposed location, Bill Gabriel, asked developers if the facility could disrupt hearing devices. Gabriel said he was concerned with the health of a nearby resident with cochlear implants.
“This is a genuine issue,” said board member Geoffrey Zeamer.
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Board members asked the developer, Renewable Energy Massachusetts, to provide information on conditions nearby towns with similar residential solar projects have established for facility maintenance and construction.
Earlier in the meeting, representatives of REM answers to questions the board and residents had raised in previous hearings. Larry Beals, representing REM, addressed the effects the facility would have on ground water, and the strength of the electromagnetic field the facility would likely produce.
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"The output would be the same as a household appliance," said Dave Columbo, an electrical engineer hired by the developer.
The hearing on the Bullard Farm solar plant will continue on March 12.
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