Worthington Planning Board Delays Solar Reviewer Pick, Eyes January 13 Decision

WORTHINGTON -- January 7, 2026, Worthington Planning Board defers solar technical reviewer decision, targets January 13 for a hire. At a January 7 working session, the board weighed three proposals, two at roughly $7,500 from Tetra Tech and Tighe and Bond, and a $35,000 time-and-materials bid from a Holyoke-based firm the board called Pare or Perret, to independently review Blue Wave's large-scale solar and battery storage application. Members directed board member Bart to gather parallel answers from the two finalists on prior experience, Blue Wave conflict-of-interest exposure, and whether Tighe and Bond could add a fire and electrical subcontractor comparable to Pare's subcontract with Hallam ICS. The board also advanced draft zoning bylaw amendments that would raise solar setbacks from 50 feet to at least 100 feet, add a 300-foot buffer for battery storage from residences and public water supplies, and restrict installations in Biomap 2.7 core habitat and Westfield River watershed areas, with a tentative goal of finalizing language by January 31 to pair with a citizens' moratorium petition at a special town meeting.