Plainfield Select Board Calls Special Town Meeting to Block New Solar Applications

PLAINFIELD — October 28, 2025 — Plainfield Select Board votes to call a special town meeting for November 12 to consider a six-month solar moratorium. The board acted on a draft warrant article presented by a Planning Board member, identified as Peter, that would halt new special permit applications for large-scale ground-mounted solar arrays and battery energy storage systems while the Planning Board revises zoning bylaws lacking any regulation of storage systems. A Select Board member cited legal counsel's warning that applications already filed cannot be retroactively stopped, saying "they are coming — they are queuing up." The special town meeting warrant will also include a prior-year $2,268 fire department bill for hose and ladder testing and a proposal to transfer ownership of a decommissioned 1992 International Pierce fire truck to the fire association for sale. The board separately approved a Class 2 Used Car license renewal for Central Farm and Garage and renewed Plainfield's membership in the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services District.