Clinton Conservation Commission Continues DCR Reservoir Solar Hearing, Closes Reisner Way Case

CLINTON -- April 22, 2026, Clinton Conservation Commission continued a Department of Conservation and Recreation solar array hearing and closed a separate wetlands matter on Earth Day, April 22. The commission opened a public hearing on a DCR Notice of Intent to install two photovoltaic arrays, eight kilowatts combined capacity, at the agency's Boat Cove facility on Route 70 to power heated dock mats that reduce road salt use near Wachusett Reservoir, but continued the matter to May 27 after DCR project manager Justin acknowledged he could not yet confirm where the FEMA Zone AE base flood elevation of 388.5 falls on the site; a site walk was set for May 11. The commission separately voted unanimously to issue a negative determination of applicability for a 1 Reisner Way project placing ungrouted gravity blocks around contaminated-soil piles, after engineer Paul McManus of Echo Tech calculated that flood-storage displacement would be 2,800 cubic feet across 335,000 square feet, a water-level rise of 0.008 feet. The commission also flagged a stalled West Street enforcement matter, with conservation agent Sierra unable to reach the unresponsive property owner; members discussed drafting a letter citing the commission's full legal authority and noted the absence of a local wetlands bylaw limits available penalties.