After the Board of Selectmen voted to send a warrant article to the ballot which will ask voters to approve moving forward with the West Road Landfill Solar Farm project. Members of the Southern New Hampshire R.C. Club, who currently occupy the space, known as Wagner Field, were once again at the Board of Selectmen meeting asking for them to consider holding off sending the warrant article to the ballot.
Club President, Cody Wojcik, said he had new information for the Selectmen to consider. “We have a little bit of new information and I just wanted to present it to you,” he said.
Wojcik explained that previously it was said they had a “handshake deal” between the club and the town in order for the club to use the landfill site, however, after doing research and finding old minutes, they learned that the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the agreement between the town and the club in July 1999.
Wojcik told the Selectmen they didn’t know about it because Daryl Wagner, who had negotiated the deal, passed away a couple of years ago and they previously couldn’t find the documentation.
Board of Selectmen Chair, Marilyn McGrath, said they will be distributed to the other board members saying, “I’ve seen them, I’ve seen what was voted on by the Board of Selectmen at that time.” She added that she read the conditions placed on the group in exchange for using the site and said, “based on what I read, you were in violation of most of them.” Wojcik responded saying he would be interested in learning what those violations were as he had no knowledge of any.
McGrath said if someone wants to revisit it, they will need a majority of the Board of Selectmen to vote to have it reheard. “But until that happens, we won’t revisit it,” McGrath said.
John Hayes, another member of the club, asked they reconsider their decision, saying that the future of aviation usually starts with RC clubs. “The early inspiration lies in the foundation for our astronauts, airplane pilots, military pilots, aerospace engineers, and general aviation pilots,” he said. For him, it’s been a “55-year adventure,” where he has gained skills and a passion for it. “We inspire, challenge, and reward those who are part of this segment of aviation,” Hayes said. “Our sight has generated two world champion aerobatic pilots, yes I said world champions.” Hayes explained that the “landfill site was unique,” it took over a year to get Wagner Field recognized as a FAA certified air space.
In terms of the revenue from the space that the town is expected to receive if the deal is approved by the voters, he said the need for money will never go away, saying “you’ll just be looking for your next source of money…once you give up open space, you won’t be able to get it back.” Hayes continued.
Hayes reminded the board of his offer to help them find an alternative sight for the solar farm, “I have located a potential site in Litchfield, behind Campbell High School, the property is owned by Hudson. It is a water pumping station and there are nearly 33 acres approximately the same size at the landfill sight.” He distributed a map to all the Selectmen with the Litchfield site identified.
