Concerns over fire hazards and noise levels have temporarily halted a proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) at 48 Schoosett Street. During a packed Zoning Board of Appeals session, residents and local business owners argued that the Planning Board’s prior endorsement of the Palmer Management Corporation project ignored critical safety perimeters and the unique needs of the neighborhood. While Town Counsel Alex Weiss clarified that state law often exempts such green energy projects from local zoning prohibitions, the board signaled it would not move forward without exhaustive technical data.

Susan Ballinger, representing a group of concerned neighbors, characterized the previous approval process as rushed and inadequate. She noted that the facility would sit within 120 feet of King Collision, a business housing hazardous paint and damaged electric vehicles, and near Southshore Therapies, which serves children with autism sensitive to industrial noise. The site fails the EPA's 330-foot hazard perimeter, Ballinger told the board. There is a complete absence of a noise study for Southshore Therapies. This is arbitrary, capricious, and unsafe.

The applicant’s representative, Lindsay Dean Mayer, argued that the 330-foot guidance cited by residents was intended for massive utility-scale projects in California, not the 20-megawatt installation proposed for Pembroke. However, local business owners remained unconvinced. Chris King of King Collision Centers warned the board that the facility would be positioned right against his back fence. I'm not sure the town fire department even has the ability to put out an electric battery fire at this time, King said. If one of those catches fire, there’s no putting it out. It has to burn.

Board members expressed a shared hesitation to sanction the project without hearing directly from public safety officials. Vice Chair Christopher McGrail noted that the complexity of the special permit process and the potential for safety gaps required more scrutiny. I think there are plenty of safety issues that we don't have the answers to, McGrail said. Chair Frederick Casavant IV echoed the need for professional consultation, stating, It’s hard for me to digest all of this and come up with conditions when we haven't spoken with the engineers. I'd like to hear from the Fire Department.

The board requested that the applicant provide plume modeling, specific noise frequency data, and a formal safety analysis from the Pembroke Fire Department before the next hearing. To accommodate the high level of public interest, the board intends to move the upcoming discussion to the new community center. Motion Made by C. McGrail to continue the hearing for Case 8-25 to December 15, 2025, at the Community Center. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

Earlier in the evening, the board reached a compromise with homeowner Lee Graham regarding a garage variance at 153 Chapel Street. Graham originally sought an eight-foot setback to accommodate a new garage on a lot she described as having significant sloping issues. This is the most level spot on the entire lot, Graham explained, noting that other locations would interfere with her septic leaching field. Member David Lee questioned the topography, asking if the structure could be shifted closer to the existing deck, but Graham confirmed the drop-off was too steep.

Chair Casavant suggested a compromise to maintain better separation between properties. 10 feet is a more comfortable number than going underneath, Casavant noted, adding that the board avoids rolling out the carpet for every variance request. Graham agreed to downsize the planned garage width to 22 feet to meet the board’s 10-foot requirement. Motion Made by F. Casavant to allow the request on Case 7-25 with the setback being at 10 feet, not 8 feet. Motion Passed (3-0-0).