Carver Conservation Commission Approves Two Cranberry Farm Solar Projects, Issues Reservoir Conditions

CARVER -- June 3, 2026, Carver Conservation Commission unanimously approved notices of intent and variances for two large-scale dual-use agrivoltaic solar projects on active cranberry farms and cleared a house reconstruction in the 65-foot wetland buffer, while issuing a conditioned negative determination for a proposed seven-acre agricultural reservoir adjacent to Dunham Pond. The two solar filings, one by Dunham Pond Solar 1, LLC, care of New Leaf Energy, covering a floating array, a dual-use bog tracker, and canal canopy panels at Zero Tremont Street, and one by Federal Furnace Road Solar 1, LLC at Zero Ward Street, drew no public opposition and were approved with standard conditions after commission members toured both sites the same day. Environmental consultant Sarah Stearns of Beals and Thomas represented both projects. The 222 Tremont Street reconstruction was approved with a special condition requiring native shrubs on the wetland side of the split-rail fence after the commission noted the lot "would probably be unbuildable" had no prior structure existed. For the Zero Mayflower Road reservoir, Katherine Harrelson of the Community Land and Water Coalition urged a positive determination, citing the excavation limit's proximity to the 100-foot buffer of Dunham Pond and the absence of baseline water quality monitoring; a Dunham Pond resident named Chuck raised concerns about historic drawdown by prior operators. The commission issued a negative determination, Box 3, conditioning approval on Dunham Pond water-level monitoring to be established in coordination with the Earth Removal Committee's forthcoming permit.