This history preserves the anonymized wording and earlier written responses in the imported project records. Earlier responses may describe a previous design or contain wording now under review. Use the linked consolidated question for the current response status.
A source record can contain several questions. These records are not a count of individual submissions or people. Original messages and dates are still being reconciled; this history does not establish that every project submission has been captured.
Showing 4 of 211 source records
Public Community Meeting #1 · July 8, 2026I am concerned about how it is going to affect my house, my land, and my well. It is in my backyard.
We prioritize protecting your home, land, and water. Siting battery systems requires strict adherence to MassDEP stormwater regulations. We designed the site grading so that all surface runoff drains away from neighboring homes and is captured within dedicated, lined retention basins. Under state law, the post-development runoff rate cannot exceed the pre-development rate. For a well located to the north and uphill of the equipment footprint, the natural slope directs surface drainage away from the well, and our hydrological studies will confirm how groundwater moves across the site. We are also constructing a continuous catchment swale along the southern boundary to capture and filter any surface runoff before it can reach adjacent properties.
How the issues were handled
A written response is recorded. Sending an individual reply, considering feedback, and making a design change require separate evidence.
How will firefighting water be kept out of wells? Individual reply: not confirmed. Consideration: not recorded. Design change: not confirmed.
Public Community Meeting #1 · July 8, 2026Are you aware our town’s wells were contaminated by Exxon Mobil in the past, pretty severely?
Yes, we are fully aware of the severe impact that the past Exxon Mobil MTBE contamination had on Charlton's private wells. We respect how sensitive groundwater issues are for local families. To prevent any contamination risk, our site design employs multiple physical barriers. The battery containers use sealed steel enclosures with built-in containment pans to capture any fluids. Furthermore, we are designing our stormwater management system in compliance with MassDEP's strict groundwater protection standards, preventing any untreated runoff from soaking into the water table. We will also participate in regular groundwater monitoring program protocols established with the local Board of Health.
How the issues were handled
A written response is recorded. Sending an individual reply, considering feedback, and making a design change require separate evidence.
Is the old gas station spill related to this project? Individual reply: not confirmed. Consideration: not recorded. Design change: not confirmed.
How will firefighting water be kept out of wells? Individual reply: not confirmed. Consideration: not recorded. Design change: not confirmed.
Website and email · Submission date not confirmedHow will you contain the fire water run-off and prevent the run-off water from poisoning the local well water?
Earlier written draft (answers as of October 7, 2026)
Two commitments are in place. Firefighting water is to be captured on an impermeable surface so it cannot reach groundwater, and runoff along the southern boundary is to be captured. Testing and removal procedures for captured water are part of the Emergency Action Plan being developed with Charlton Fire, which an independent reviewer selected by the town will examine at the project's cost. A groundwater study and a groundwater monitoring program are also committed.
How the issues were handled
A written response is recorded. Sending an individual reply, considering feedback, and making a design change require separate evidence.
How will firefighting water be kept out of wells? Individual reply: not confirmed. Consideration: not recorded. Design change: not confirmed.
Website and email · August 4, 2026What would happen to contaminated water used during a battery fire? How would it be captured, tested, removed, and prevented from entering groundwater, wetlands, or nearby wells?
Earlier written draft (answers as of October 7, 2026)
Two commitments are already in place: water used to fight a fire will be captured on an impermeable surface so it cannot reach groundwater, and runoff along the southern boundary will be captured. Testing and removal procedures are part of the emergency management plan being developed with the Charlton Fire Department, which the town's independently selected reviewer will also examine, at no cost to the town.
How the issues were handled
A written response is recorded. Sending an individual reply, considering feedback, and making a design change require separate evidence.
How will firefighting water be kept out of wells? Individual reply: not confirmed. Consideration: not recorded. Design change: not confirmed.
