Hatfield Planning Board unanimously approves Battery Energy Storage zoning amendment for town meeting

HATFIELD -- April 8, 2026, Hatfield Planning Board advances battery energy storage zoning amendment to town meeting warrant. The board voted unanimously April 8 to approve the proposed Battery Energy Storage Systems bylaw amendment and forward it to the Select Board for inclusion in the town warrant, resolving a legal question from Town Counsel about decommissioning fund authority by pointing to M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53K, which allows the Select Board to authorize creation of such accounts. Member Doug Finn, who cleaned up the draft document before the meeting, said after reviewing the statute, "My concerns are met, I'm fine with that." Chair Stephanie Slysz also reported that a $96,000 One Stop for Growth state grant will fund a planning consultant to work on zoning bylaw and map recommendations, with an RFP expected to post within the week and funds required to be spent by end of 2027. The board acknowledged the March 26 death of Building Inspector and Zoning Enforcement Officer Kyle Scott, unanimously voting to dedicate a page of the meeting minutes to his memory.