First Parish Files Petition for Special Town Meeting Article

Compiled by The Bedford Citizen

Bedford’s Selectmen met in Executive Session with the Historic District Commission on Tuesday, September 4 and voted that the Town would appeal the recent Middlesex Superior Court decision to allow First Parish Unitarian Universalist to install solar panels atop the 1817 portion of the congregation’s meeting house on Bedford Common.

At the end of the meeting, Selectman Chair William Moonan indicated his hope that there could be more discussion and perhaps a compromise between the Town and First Parish.

Upon hearing the Town’s vote, Senior Minister Rev. John Gibbons emailed the Selectmen and members of First Parish on behalf of the congregation’s Solar Panel team.

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“To our great dismay, Bedford Selectmen tonight voted to appeal the Superior Court decision that had ordered the town to grant First Parish approval for the installation of solar panels,” wrote Rev. Gibbons. “This will result in at least one and likely two more years of litigation, not to mention the financial and reputational costs to the town.

“It is a decision on the wrong side of history. We will persevere,” Rev. Gibbons concluded.

Perseverance has taken the form of a petitioner’s article to be included in the Warrant for Bedford’s Special Town Meeting on November 13. Rev. Gibbons delivered the petition to Town Clerk Doreen Tremblay on Friday, September 7.

Article ___: Amend Historic District Commission Bylaw to Authorize Solar Panels within the Historic District.

To determine whether the Town will vote to adopt new Bylaw Section 20.5 relating to the Historic District Commission, which shall provide as follows:

20.5 – Solar Panels Permitted

In light of the policy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to encourage use of solar energy systems, and the policy of the Town of Bedford to encourage attaining net zero energy consumption, roof mounted solar panels shall be permitted within the Historic District, without necessity of seeking approval, so long as such panels match the color of the roof, are installed parallel to the surface of the roof to which they are attached, are set back from the edges of the roof to minimize their visibility, and all conduits are hidden from view.

pass vote, or take any action relative thereto.

Click this link to view, download, or print the petition.

According to Massachusetts General Laws and Bedford’s Town Charter, the petition will require either 100 verified signatures of registered Bedford voters or a vote of the Selectmen to be placed on the Warrant for the 2018 Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, November 13. First Parish plans to deliver its signatures to the Town Clerk early next week.

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