Letter to the Editor: Save forests from solar

by Hopkinton Independent | Aug 26, 2020 | Letter to Editor

Two articles on the upcoming Town Meeting warrant fit together perfectly to preserve about 100 acres of mature forest (formerly the Liberty Mutual forest), with long picturesque trails, a lake, varied wildlife and birds, trees and native plants, including ferns.

The article on the solar overlay map prevents the clear cutting of this particular forest resource, as this forest is not on the map as a permitted site for commercial solar farms.

The citizens petition article explores the interest of the town for using community preservation funds to purchase this forest and to then donate the care and management over to HALT [Hopkinton Area Land Trust].

As a clarification, a yes vote on the solar overlay map does not prevent the individual homeowner from setting up solar panels on his roof or in his backyard. The overlay map only defines where in town the industrial commercial solar farms may be constructed, protecting residential neighborhoods from such surprise intrusions.

— Ann Karnofsky, Hopkinton

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