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MORRIS, Connecticut — Community members at a packed townhall meeting Friday evening in Morris raised plenty of concern over a proposed 40-acre solar farm.
Now, some of those people fear it might be too late to do anything about the controversial project.
“This is a disaster that somebody should have seen coming,” one resident commented to First Selectman Tom Weik.
Anger over a solar panel project that is currently clear to move forward spilled over in the Morris Town Hall.
RELATED: Town of East Windsor to appeal state’s approval of solar panel project expansion
The expanse of land between West Street and South Street is more than just a gorgeous view for the people of Morris.
They say turning the 40 acres of farmland into a solar farm would pose serious environmental concerns. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says solar panels emit harmful chemicals at the end of their 25-year lifespan and become “a waste stream.”
“It was just really sad to realize that nobody can appeal,” Judy DiLorenzo, of Morris, said.
No one at the meeting spoke in favor of the solar farm, and people FOX61 interviewed emphasized that they are not opposed to solar farming. However, they say it does not work in their town.
Residents added that they rely on clean drinking water sources in Morris, which are also used by surrounding towns. These bodies of water are located on the piece of land where the solar panels will go.
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“Projects that are proposed are over the town of Morris’ potable water supplies,” Joe Quaranta, New Milford Clean Water Coalition president, said. “Which are state department of health potable water supplies and watersheds.”
Greenskies Clean Energy and Lodestar Energy are the two companies behind the project. Greenskies leaders even helped organize the meeting but backed out.
Morris First Selectman Tom Weik declined an interview. Some people at the meeting believe the town dropped the ball.
But 66th District State Rep. Karen Reddington-Hughes (R) also says the state siting council that approved the project needs to do a better job communicating between all involved.
RELATED: State attorneys general sue Trump administration for canceled solar program funding
“There was a lot of confusion with the siting council,” Reddington-Hughes said. “I think there has to be a much better way of notifying the abutters and anyone affected. And what I think really came out of this is that the town needs to be notified.”
Organizers of the meeting say they plan to file a Connecticut Environmental Protection Act claim in a last ditch effort to stymie the solar farm. If successful, this could prevent the project from happening, or at least require the energy companies to meet environmental demands.
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Tim Littau is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at TLittau@FOX61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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