The long dormant municipal
landfill on Route 206 will soon be reborn as a state-of-the-art solar farm,
according to Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan. The Somerville Borough Council
recently took preliminary steps to begin the process, which is expected to take
several years.
An ordinance to lease about 25
acres of borough-owned land to Hathaway Solar, LLC was introduced on May 3.
This will allow Hathaway to begin discussions with the New Jersey Board of
Public Utilities to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for the actual
construction. Somerville is currently working with the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection to finalize cleanup plans for the site while exploring
grant opportunities for the area contaminated by decades of household waste.
The Council also adopted a
resolution to enter into a redevelopment agreement with Hathaway for a
long=term lease on the land. Details are being finalized, with the lease
payments tied to the amount of electricity ultimately produced. Hathaway will
make application to the state for acceptance into the “Community Solar”
initiative, a program that would give qualified individuals the opportunity to
buy electricity at reduced rates.
Mayor Sullivan added, “The
ultimate fate of the landfill has challenged Somerville since the last garbage
truck unloaded there over 30 years ago. A lot of work has gone on to get us to
this point, and I especially want to thank the Redevelopment Committee,
including Environmental Commission Liaison Tom Mitchell, for taking the lead. This
innovative use protects the environment, creates revenue for the borough, and
will give people an alternate energy source. A site that has produced nothing
but frustration and methane will soon become another jewel in the crown of our
wonderful town, and I couldn’t be more excited.”