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Letter to the Editor: Vote at Town Meeting to save forest from solar

by | Apr 29, 2022 | Letter to Editor

For those of you who are interested in hiking, dog walking, bicycling and horseback riding in various parts of town, the preservation of the “Liberty Mutual” forest of 70 acres adjoining Hopkinton Area Land Trust’s Deer Run Sanctuary of 12 acres would be a much-enjoyed resource on the side of town closest to Ashland. With North and South Legacy Farms housing developments and already two commercial solar farms (off East Main Street and on Wilson Street), this area has great need for such a large forested parcel with trails, wildlife habitat and a lake. The Growth Study Committee has marked it in yellow for open space conservation.

As oxymoronic as it would seem, a solar company has plans to clear-cut the heart of it and dislocate the trails, natural streams and wildlife homes for yet another commercial solar farm. Residents from all parts of town have enjoyed these trails while owned by Liberty Mutual. Unfortunately, the buyers of the property will not negotiate a price of sale to the town. With residents and abutters alike crying aloud to save the forest, the only way to do this is to take it by eminent domain, whereby the Select Board would be authorized to take the property, and, completing the necessary steps to do so, the title would immediately rest with the town. A professional appraisal would determine a just price to the solar land owner. Present thought discourages cutting forests to fund the sunlight to operate solar energy.

Eminent domain has succeeded in Nantucket in conserving natural parcels from development, to leave resources for residents and wildlife. This is good planning. I urge Town Meeting to vote yes on Article 45.

— Ann Karnofsky, Hopkinton, chair of Save the Forest group

Editor’s note: The opinions and comments expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Independent. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and must include the writer’s name and contact information for verification. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event. Letters may be edited by the Independent staff for space, errors or clarification, and the Independent offers no guarantee that every letter will be published. For a schedule of deadlines for letters and other submissions for the print edition, click here.

1 Comment

  1. Darlene Hayes

    What is Save the Forest Group? Is there a website or social media page to learn more about their mission?
    Without a cost associated with this as much as I don’t want to see land clear cut and lose passive recreation space, there needs to be a cost before I would vote to approve this and not giving a blank check.

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