Carol Sullivan: Voters should make their own decisions about Center Harbor solar array

To The Daily Sun,

As the volunteer chair of the Center Harbor Energy Committee, I am responding to the March 7 letter to The Laconia Daily Sun from Philip Boivin about the Center Harbor Solar Array project. Mr. Boivin states that Center Harbor residents should vote no on the proposed 196-panel solar photovoltaic array at the upcoming annual Town Meeting on Wednesday, March 13, at 6 p.m.

Mr. Boivin also states that the array will be in a field behind the Congregational Church directly behind their outdoor worship area and the pre-school outdoor play area. This field is owned by the town. The final plans may be adjusted to try to address some of the issues raised by abutters, and will be reviewed at a future planning board meeting if the project moves forward. Other statements in Mr. Boivin’s letter, for example: pertaining to the visibility of the array from Route 25; suggesting that the array should not be installed in a residentially zoned area, and stating that the Keyser Road abandoned dump site would be a better location were all addressed and discussed in three public hearings and a slideshow devoted to this project in December, January and February. Detailed information about the project can be found at the Center Harbor website — centerharbornh.gov/home/news/proposed-photovoltaic-system-information.

The Center Harbor volunteer energy committee has been working on this solar project for at least 1.5 years, with input from the selectboard throughout this period. The Jordan Institute suggested the town invest in solar as far back as in 2009. We looked at many other locations but others were more costly and less efficient. Take advantage of the information available to you and make your own decision about this project.

Carol Sullivan

Center Harbor