No-Go For Future Residential Solar Farms in Dartmouth

Dartmouth Town Meeting members shot down a by-law amendment last night, that would have allowed special provisions for solar farms to locate in residential neighborhoods.

The amendment would have allowed the installation of neighborhood solar farms, provided the land was a designated brownfield or contaminated in some way.

Town Meeting member Robin Sullivan says solar panels can be installed almost anywhere, ruling out the need to use neighborhood space for solar farms.

Phil Chandler says he fully supports the amendment, urging the town to move forward with solar development.

The zoning by-law amendment failed, 76-96.

Also at last night's Town Meeting, officials at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech received the nod from Dartmouth to move forward with their expansion and renovation project. Town Meeting members approved the Town's portion of the funding needed to allow the project to continue.

Town Administrator David Cressman says the amount allocated by the Town shouldn't have any affect on the overall budget.

The $17million project includes new science rooms, additional cafeteria space, and meeting rooms.

The MSBA will reimburse the school 80% of the total cost, leaving the rest to district partners.

Dartmouth's contribution is roughly $516,000, and was approved unanimously.