A proposal to install six battery energy storage units at 48 Schoosett Street secured unanimous clearance from the Planning Board Monday night, following a detailed discussion centered on noise mitigation and visual screening for nearby residents. The project, brought forward by Palmer Management Corporation, involves the placement of the storage units alongside two transformers and four new utility poles at the site of the former Knights of Columbus building.

James Garfield of Morse Engineering presented revised plans that included ten Green Giant Arborvitae trees intended to shield the industrial equipment from neighboring views. While the site maintains a natural vegetated buffer of nearly 169 feet, board members scrutinized whether the evergreens would provide sufficient year-round coverage. One member of the board expressed reservations about the seasonal effectiveness of the current woods, noting that most of it in another month will have no leaves and shared concerns that the additional plantings were targeted toward specific abutters rather than the entire neighborhood. Garfield countered that the proposed Arborvitaes are strategically placed so that if you stand on the property and look directly at the project, these Arborvitaes are in the direction you would be looking.

The aesthetic discussion also touched on the facility's security fencing. Chair Andrew Wandell questioned if there would be any screening on that fence or just the chain link fence to look at the storage containers. While the board discussed adding plastic privacy slats to the fence, they ultimately determined the applicant was within the requirements of the town’s solar and energy bylaws with the added trees.

The hearing featured significant testimony from Howard Sloo, owner of Southshore Therapies at 64 Schoosett Street, who raised concerns regarding how the facility might impact children with autism. Sloo explained that his practice serves a sensitive population that can be affected by electrical frequencies or sounds. We had a geese problem once and used noise machines that we couldn't hear, but the autistic children heard them and were going crazy, Sloo told the board. Lindsay Dean Mayer of Palmer Management assured the room that the cooling systems use fans similar to commercial HVAC units and must comply with state sound policies. A representative from Palmer Capital added that the facility operates at a standard 60-hertz frequency, noting that humming will be taken care of according to Mass DB.

Addressing potential hazards, Chair Wandell noted that the Fire Department had signed off on the project earlier that day. Mayer added that the company works directly with local officials on safety training and that the system is designed to put itself out in a worst-case scenario. Motion Made by an unidentified board member to close the public hearing for Site Plan 6-25. Motion Passed (7-0). Following the closure, the board reviewed several regulatory waivers regarding landscaping, traffic, and lighting plans. Motion Made by A. Wandell to approve the summary of requested waivers for Sections 4.7, 5.1, 4.15, 6.0, 4.21, 4.22, 6.7, and 6.8. Motion Passed (7-0). Motion Made by A. Wandell to approve Site Plan 6-25, application of Palmer Management Corporation, under the zoning bylaws of the Town of Pembroke with the conditions as presented. Motion Passed (7-0).

Earlier in the meeting, the board briefly addressed the application for Weatherbane at Pembroke Country Club, a massive 177-unit single-family subdivision proposed for 94 West Elm Street. However, the hearing was immediately deferred without substantive discussion. When a resident attempted to ask about the project’s wastewater treatment plans, Chair Wandell stopped the inquiry, stating, I'm not having any discussion about that. We can't even discuss it. They need to submit a new application. Motion Made by A. Wandell to continue the public hearing for Weatherbane to November 24th. Motion Passed (7-0).