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Springfield Zoning Board deals another blow to biomass project; rules building permit has expired
Updated May 06, 2021;
Posted May 06, 2021
Springfield Councilor Jesse Lederman speaks at a demonstration in September of 2020, in opposition to plans for a biomass energy plant in East Springfield. The Zoning Board of Appeals has ruled that its building permit has lapsed. (Hoang Leon Nguyen / The Republican)
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SPRINGFIELD A proposed biomass wood-burning plant in East Springfield was dealt another blow Wednesday night when the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals ruled that a building permit for the project has expired.
The board voted, 4-1, that Palmer Renewable Energy’s building permits for the project, issued in 2011, and extended by the building commissioner, lapsed due to inaction on the permit for more than 180 days.
Articles pass unanimously at Whately Town Meeting with no discussion
Whately residents approved all four articles on the warrant at Special Town Meeting on Saturday outside the Town Offices. STAFF PHOTO/MARY BYRNE
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All four articles passed without discussion and with unanimous support.
The first article sought approval to allocate $50,000 for upgrades at the Water Department’s pumping station on Chestnut Plain Road. Town Administrator Brian Domina previously explained that the Water Department needs money to buy booster pumps for the main pumphouse.
To improve pumping capacity, the Water Department initially designed a two-pump system, he said. The state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), however, is asking the department to redesign its proposal with a three-pump system adding to the cost.
Wicked Local
After a local brook turned milky white on April 2, the state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) said on April 5 that the substance that likely caused the color change titanium dioxide “does not exhibit any hazardous characteristics.”
There are no levels of concern and no further testing will be conducted, said Edmund Coletta, director of the MassDEP public affairs office, on April 5.
The Newton Fire Department at 4 p.m. went to Hammond Brook, which runs through Newton Centre Playground, goes to the City Hall Ponds and then into Bullough’s Pond.
“The stream does not flow near public drinking water,” according to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s office.