Nearly two weeks ago residents of Springwood Estates woke to the sound of heavy machinery lumbering down Kimball Road. Shortly after, without warning or announcement, the woods began to fall, and another rich Hopkinton forest is destroyed.
Although it is not official, what will likely take its place is a large solar farm, leaving residents alarmed and uneasy.
“This will be to the significant detriment and destruction of the abundant wildlife living in this area, and the serenity and natural beauty it affords our community” said Brooke Ferencsik, who lives on Smith Road.
Zoning Freeze
Early in 2021, Boston-based BlueWave Solar filed a Preliminary Subdivision Plan with the Hopkinton Planning Board. According to a letter from BlueWave Senior Director Michael Zhe, they did so prior to the 2021 Town Meeting with purpose: On the 2021 agenda at Town Meeting was a proposed commercial solar bylaw. By filing for the subdivision plan before the town meeting vote, BlueWave would be exempt from any new regulations voters approved. This is known as a “zoning freeze” and it is allowed by Massachusetts General Law.
“The intention of the Plan was to freeze zoning as a safeguard for any Solar Bylaw changes in Article 35 and Article 36, that would be prohibitive for the potential development of a commercial solar photovoltaic installation at the Plan locations,” wrote Zhe.
In his letter, Zhe admits the company had no plans to develop the land for housing. The commercial solar bylaws did pass at town meeting, and Zhe writes “After a thorough evaluation of the new Bylaw at the Plan locations, we believe a (commercial solar) design could comply with the new Bylaw”.
After vocal opposition at town planning meetings from residents, the preliminary subdivision plan was withdrawn in July 2021. The forest was quiet until two weeks ago when the cutting began.
State Permit supersedes Town authority
On December 1, 2020 the Massachusetts Department & Recreation (DCR) granted a Forest Cutting permit for the lot to Michael Umina, the sole trustee of Equestrian Realty Trust. Mr. Umina is a longtime resident and owns several parcels in Hopkinton. The permit was later extended to December 1, 2023. In the Landowner Signature section the permit reads “The most important information on a cutting plan is the Landowner’s objective, as this will determine which trees will be harvested and which will remain.”
Mr. Umina checked the “Long-term Forest Management” box, which is described as “Planned management of the forest to…produce immediate and maximize long-term income, enhance wildlife habitat, improve recreational opportunities, protect soil and water quality, or produce forest specialty products.”
Notably Mr. Umina did not indicate that the land will be used for a commercial solar farm. Umina reportedly has entered into a multi-decade agreement with BlueWave in exchange for the rights to place the solar installation on the property.
The DCR leaves the decision of how much to cut to the Landowner. Because there is no official plan on file for commercial solar, the state has no reason to place restrictions on Mr. Umina and the cutting operation. According to reports, he intends to cut between 10-15 acres per week, until 60 acres are cleared. Per a memo from the Town of Hopkinton Conservation Commission, the state permit also enables Umina to ignore minimum setbacks and wetland restrictions.
Residents of Springwood Estates have appealed to State Rep. James Arena-DeRosa and State Senator Karen Spilka, and both have indicated that the permit is valid and there is nothing they can do. Similarly, the Town of Hopkinton issued a press release today noting that they were area of the cutting but that it was legally permitted.
Hopkinton voters recently approved stronger zoning bylaws for commercial solar installations, which specify fencing requirements as well as the employment of visual screens. “Whenever reasonable, structures shall be shielded from view by vegetation and/or joined and clustered to avoid adverse visual impacts. Methods such as the use of landscaping, natural features and fencing may be utilized,” reads the bylaw.
Ironically the BlueWave website states: “We believe that solar goes best on land that’s already been developed. We work with communities to find sites for solar farms that complement the local economy without detracting from the local habitat.”
When looking at the approval document there are many dates that have been altered. Additionally DCR has not provided a signed extention of the approved plan only a copy of the altered original approval with a box checked off that says the extention is approved. I am one of the Abutters that was never notified. Apparently they notified the previous resident over 2 years ago therefore they are not required to notify any current residents. 4 of the last 5 homes on Kimball were sold/purchased with in the last 2 years. I live on the last house on the left on Kimball. My new alarm clock sounds like a chainsaw a few feet from ear. They have left heavy equipment and very large trucks on the cul-de-sac idling for hours instead of parking on the 60 acres that they are destroying. When I confronted the foreman about a pick up truck parked on my property he said ” call the cops” then he moved an 18 wheeler on to my property with a big grin. He told another resident that the noise will get louder just wait and see. He is getting a thrill from our misery. There are several large plumbing pipes that have been moved recently which does not seem to have anything to do with tree removal. There must a way to stop this. The noise is extreme
I was also never informed of this. Way to destroy our property values and expose us to harmful radiation! Oh and destroy all the beautiful nature that attracted us to this town/area. Thanks so much!
Okay… one more… Springhill and Connelly Estates is one giant wet land… we use to go mud bogging back there… your neighborhood expansion was highly contentious… Many opposed cutting down forests and displacing animals for huge houses… While I was not one of them… it is so freaking ironic that potentially the residents in those same neighborhoods are griping… seriously? You have to be kidding me… a solar farm has to be the best of all possible outcomes… You do realize that your neighborhood was going to be the approach to a new Logan Airport?
You know… I don’t disagree with wanting to protect the environment but we can’t have it both ways. We can’t be pro open borders and welcoming to millions of great people to join our country and not be willing to develop land to accommodate growth.. We need to plant trees, leverage renewable energy.. build low income housing… help low income communities and do it together… but our rich metro-west communities are often all talk… every piece of land that is developable has the right to be developed. you don’t own it. This isn’t a hard concept. Earth is going to have a population problem… a resource problem… but until we solve those larger issues… how the heck are you pro immigration but anti development? Yes… I am generalizing and going beyond this example but it is isn’t incongruent. Just saying… The “Beautiful Nature” that attracted you to the area is land that other people owned. When I was born here… your neighborhoods were beautiful nature forests but then your developers built your homes on that land… very wet charles river land…. Not sure how you can’t see this….
This terrible company is destroying the lives of so many families. If karma exists everyone involved in this decision would soon feel the pain they’ve inflicted upon us. I genuinely don’t know how these people sleep at night.
I am so sorry that it is happening. That is another example how sneaky a business can be and you never can trust any of them. The town just does not want to step in because they don’t want to be sued. And for me, the cleaning up the land does not meet that Long-term permit!
Our neighborhood (Lake Maspenock) is under an attack of rezoning from residential to business as well, this will be Article 29 at the Town Meeting. Please come and help us to vote it down!
Rustem
Lake Maspenock is under attack because someone wants to build a commercial spot on SOUTH STREET with an egress behind the property. That one homeowner knew exactly the district they bought into… It is in no way encroaching upon anything closer to the lake… They bought when it was a bar (North Pond House) and people were stealing laptops out of the parking lot right beside it. There is nothing worse in this world than being a complete hypocrite and the rest of our great town sees you for who you are. Game on… If we are super concerned about zoning and property rights… I propose we inspect all the lake properties JUST TO MAKE sure we don’t have any septics, old fuel tanks from the 1960’s leaching into the lake…. oh we know… those of us that have been around for 50+ years… lets do a real inspection and make sure those homeowners are making sure their properties are up to code. Lets inspect those docks… Were they all permitted? Were any of them fixed in accordance with town and state permits? Hmm…. Yeah… Those are my closest friends down there… so I won’t pull that thread but Friends of Maspenock should upgrade their glass house to bullet proof and pick their battles… just saying… yeah…. let that sink in… Maybe the EPA fines are more reasonable these days…
Another person here that was never informed about this. How could our town allow this to happen? How could our state allow this to happen? These people are going to tear down beautiful forests to put solar farms in our backyards, and in doing so:
1) replace the beauty/serenity of nature, which attracted so many of us to move to this town
2) cut down trees that have been here for decades/centuries
3) displace all types of animals
4) lower our property values
5) potentially contaminate our wells
6) cause radiation
7) cause electro magnetic sickness
And there aren’t even going to be any setbacks or anything? And our town reps and state reps can’t do anything about this? Makes me sick.
Alarm from the rumbling of the trucks starts right at 7am, along with house all within the cul de sac including ours, families with young kids are subjected to higher risks with the coming and going of all these trucks. Not to mention the disruption of all the wildlife that surrounds. Keeping us in the dark is just unprofessional. If the town voted not to have it, why put something a town doesn’t want in it. We can’t be the only town that has had to deal with companies going around the laws to conduct business.
This is one parcel where cutting is happening. It is still owned by Michael Umina and it being under agreement probably in a search of a reaction to the deal and is contingent on that.
https://www.redfin.com/MA/Hopkinton/24-Chestnut-St-01748/home/8553010
Hurry up, contact the attorney general. The solar company might have an agreement with the seller. It has not been sold yet and might be able to revert back.
1. The cutting project was started on 4/10, so far no any notification and clarification. The certificate on-site was expired on 12/3/2020. 2. The cutting project with 62 acres would be highly intended to a same size solar farm, which is located between Springwood and South Mill Rd subdivision, 2 of the largest communities in Hopkinton. 3. A lot of residents and homeowners in the surrounding area will be impacted permanently by the solar farm, which just benefits to the landowner. Our nightmare would be endless, at the same time, the landlord and solar company would build a stable cash flow forever.
It seems there are plenty of reasons why these neighbors are concerned. I hope people take note that green space in a town doesn’t just happen. If you want land to remain forested, particularly privately owned land, you need to actively procure it either through purchase or a conservation easement agreement with the owner. And even then you need to plan for the cost to manage it after you procure it. Also please do your research on the health effects of solar fields, no one is helped by conspiracy theories and falsehoods about their safety. Here’s a good summary. https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Health-and-Safety-Impacts-of-Solar-Photovoltaics-PV.pdf
What I hear is, “Let’s save the earth, be progressive in MA, and go clean energy…but not at my inconvenience or near me!?” Come on Hopkinton, can’t you see the hypocrisy in the conflicting goals here? These are the same residents that avoid town water ban during summer months to maintain pristine lawns and all their conveniences, drive oversize/gasoline trucks & SUVs, and spend needlessly on excess illumination. Do you want to be energy and climate responsible to lessen our collective carbon footprint or not? I understand the concern and certainly distress at having it right at your back door, but being aware of local issues (before buying or while owning in Springwood/Connelly Hill) is basic common sense – there has been plenty of visibility to this potential, such that there should be disappointment (maybe), but surprise (absolutely not). This complaint is shallow, even if not as threatening as the mob out to get the criminal that haunts neighbors with tidy bags of dog poop left on sidewalks.
They’re ruining the lives of all these families for literally zero drop in global emissions. This is Massachusetts, not southern California. You seem committed to the cause. How about they destroy your life instead?
Interested in doing something to stop this from happening in the future? Get involved! While it’s hard to stop something in the short term that is legal and permitted by the state, there are things that we as a community can do to prevent this from happening it the future. Warning though – the solutions are rarely simple and take a lot of time to build consensus within the community. It’s great to see the passion in these posts but complaints alone won’t move the needle – if you really want to make a difference than volunteer – the Zoning Advisory Committee is a great place to start.
It’s definitely frustrating and sad to see a large forest clear cut. But I encourage everyone to stop and think about what was on your own land before your lot was cleared and your house was built. It was probably a forest!
“It takes a village” to protect our natural resources. To preserve small and large tracts of undeveloped land in Town is an arduous and protracted process. Further, the owners of these undeveloped private properties have rights and need to have a willingness to either donate the land, or sell it to the Town or a conservation group. This is not always the case. Last, funds need to be privately raised, or allocated from the Town budget or CPC funds to purchase the property (which requires Town meeting approval). None of this process can be fast-tracked.
Unfortunately, most residents don’t think about this or decide to get involved until this type of environmental degradation happens in their back yard, which is often too late. Hopkinton has many committed Town environmental staff, land preservation groups, volunteers, and advocates that diligently work to protect our resources. However, we encourage more people to get involved to protect our resources, quality of life, and prevent this from happening in other areas of our Town. Please volunteer!!
Get ready for months of misery. On Frankland Road the noise, truck traffic and general disruption from solar farm construction continued for many months. But that’s just the inconvenient part of it. We want clean, solar energy and need much more of it. But are there not brownfield sites available in MA that would be much more suitable? Cutting down mature forest land is counterproductive. I wonder how many years of solar energy production from the Frankland Road solar installation it will take to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from their more than a year of heavy machinery and trucks clearing land and breaking rocks all day long, 5 days a week, not to even mention the loss of CO2 consuming, oxygen-generating forest. Profit motive wins the day when land can be acquired cheaply and there are no guard rails to guide developers into more appropriate situations. Hopkinton has not anticipated these situations, been slow to react when they become obvious, and voters don’t seem to want to spend tax money to protect open space. From dense (and enormous) housing developments to solar farms, I expect this story will repeat over and over until there’s no undeveloped land left in Hopkinton.
Here is a statement on the Bluewave site…
“People First
Our philosophy is always to put people first and we do so by showing up as a member of the communities we serve. We host community meetings with a focus on learning about resident concerns, work with landowners to create a vision for their land and put together a development model that aims to keep farmers on farms. We share energy saving benefits with the local communities where possible through community solar.”
From what I understand, none of this took place here in Hopkinton. The amount of deceptive practices to get this through is chilling. From Unima’s deceptions to the company saying they want to file papers for subdivisions knowing full well that they were not going to be putting up neighborhoods but rather destroy the value and peace of the ones that are there. I went down to Kimball Road yesterday and was shocked at the carnage! The ground bare and dead trees piled up with no barrier to the homes that were once on a cul-de-sac and are now on a logging road. And for those people who are denigrating the owners of Springwood Estates, this 60 acres devoted to this project stretches all the way up to South Mill Street. It is also on Chestnut Street to South Mill Street. I don’t know about the homes on the other side of this business. I also would think that a business cannot be put into the midst of a residential area without changing the zoning. A solar farm can be plunked down anywhere? Apparently so as Mr. Umina has shown us.
I think the owner of this property also owns 24 Chestnut Street in Hopkinton, and is listing 9+ acres for sale, and for development. There’s a forest cutting permit taped to a tree at the end of Kimball Road, and it has “Equestrian Realty Trust, 24 Chestnut Street, Hopkinton” written on it. Doing a Google search for exactly that lead me to this online listing: https://www.equinehomes.com/listing/73021997/24-chestnut-street-hopkinton-ma-01748/
The audacity of these landowners doing what they want on the land that they own… They should 100% be more mindfull of all the hypocrites that live in neighborhoods that cut down forests to build their homes. You should be happy they didn’t put in low income housing you liberal hacks 🙂 just kidding… sort of… not at all… haa… C’mon… admit where you live and I will name you people that weren’t happy… I know… I know… it is different…. shoe is on the other foot. Take a deep breath… your the problem… not the land owners using their property as they deem fit.
And who is this clown “Josh”? I hope he isn’t the 1995 graduate… my goodness… check out this list… If you believe this crap… demolish your house… and plant some Oak trees… My Boston Bruins lost tonight and I am so mad…. thus the rant… Electro magnetic radiation… You know what we need… we need community awards for stupid comments… This is America… you own land… you can get to do whatever you reasonably want on your land… just like the developer did on the land that you bought before you became a tree hugging, electro magnetic fear mongering whimp. UGH…. 🙂 give it to me…. Displace all types of animals… I bet you have spotted turtles under a heat lamp in your house! I’m on to you… haaaaa
1) replace the beauty/serenity of nature, which attracted so many of us to move to this town
2) cut down trees that have been here for decades/centuries
3) displace all types of animals
4) lower our property values
5) potentially contaminate our wells
6) cause radiation
7) cause electro magnetic sickness
It seems only posts that agree with the majority are allowed… It is terrible what is happening… Solar power is detrimental to property values
If people don’t want solar projects in their communities they should not vote for politicians who are passing legislation in the MA State and US congress supporting their development. You can’t vote for people because you like the idea of solar and then be upset when it’s in your community and not someone else’s. There hasn’t been a single solar farm project in town the last 10 years that has not met with resistance.
All you climate cultists: I’m having a good chuckle. Enjoy what you all created.
This is Massachusetts, this is what we vote for!
Mystifying how folks can continually pull the lever a certain way and then be shocked at the results.