Acushnet Planning Board Sends Solar Site Stormwater Fix to Peer Review

ACUSHNET -- March 19, 2026, Acushnet Planning Board advances stormwater fix at Main Street solar site to engineering peer review. The board voted unanimously at its March 19 meeting to send a proposed drainage modification at 1050 Main Street, a solar project operated by Acushnet Solar LLC and Nexamp, to Merrill Engineering for peer review, with a return date of April 16. Evan Connolly of Bales and Thomas Inc. presented a plan to restore stormwater capacity lost when the applicant elevated the site entrance road, proposing new culverts, extended contours along both sides of the access road, and rip-rap berms to slow runoff toward Main Street. Chair Mark Francois noted the board had recommended the identical approach at a department head meeting six to eight months earlier. The board also continued a public hearing for a construction materials storage facility at Zero Middle Road to April 2, and reviewed a Norton zoning bylaw as a template for a proposed new Business Village District, asking members to mark up the use table before the next meeting.