⚡ 4 BOSTON RD

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The property has direct frontage on Boston Road (U.S. Route 20), a major east-west highway. This is classified as "Public" access and is considered excellent for a BESS project. This route can accommodate oversized and overweight vehicles, which is critical for the delivery of heavy equipment.

Equipment Delivery: Feasibility for delivering large components such as 40-foot battery containers, multi-ton transformers, and large cranes is very high. The direct access from a U.S. highway minimizes the need for navigating smaller, weight-restricted local roads. A detailed route survey would still be required, but no significant impediments are anticipated.

Terrain & Topography: Based on aerial imagery and the "Good" buildability rating, the site appears to be relatively flat and cleared, consistent with its industrial zoning designation. This is highly advantageous, as it will likely minimize civil engineering and earthwork costs associated with grading and site preparation. The parcel appears to be a mix of open land and some wooded areas, providing flexibility in site layout.

Easement Concerns: The data indicates "POI Onsite," which strongly suggests a utility distribution or transmission line already crosses the property. This implies an existing utility easement is in place. Actionable Insight: A title search is immediately required to identify the location, width, and restrictions of this easement. While beneficial for interconnection, the easement could constrain the final BESS layout and must be incorporated into all site plans.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The flood zone designation is listed as "Unknown." This is a critical data gap and a significant potential risk. If the buildable area is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone AE), development costs will increase substantially due to requirements for elevating all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). In a worst-case scenario, a floodway designation could render the site undevelopable. A FEMA FIRMette map review is a top-priority, go/no-go diligence item.

Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is "Unknown." Massachusetts has stringent wetland protection regulations under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131, § 40), which typically enforces a 100-foot buffer zone from delineated wetland boundaries. The presence of wetlands could significantly reduce the buildable acreage. Actionable Insight: An immediate desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required, followed by budgeting for a formal field delineation by a certified wetland scientist if the screening indicates potential wetlands.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site, which is a positive finding. This significantly lowers the risk of project delays or costly mitigation measures related to federal or state endangered species. This should be confirmed via a desktop review of state-level databases (e.g., MA Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program).

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The presence of one superfund/brownfield site within two miles presents both a risk and an opportunity.

• Risk: Potential for contaminant migration onto the subject property. This risk must be assessed via a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA).
• Opportunity: If the subject property itself can be classified as a brownfield (e.g., due to prior industrial use or contamination), the project could be eligible for the 10% IRA Brownfield Tax Credit Adder. This would be a significant financial benefit. The Phase I ESA is the first step to determining this eligibility.

Pipeline Proximity: No major gas pipelines are identified within a 3-mile radius, which eliminates risks associated with pipeline setbacks, safety protocols, and potential easement conflicts.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Substation & Transmission: The site is located just 1 mile from the Palmer 115 kV Substation and 0.6 miles from a 115 kV transmission line. This excellent proximity to high-capacity infrastructure is a major advantage.

Point of Interconnection (POI): The data states "POI Onsite." For a distribution-scale project (≤5MW), this almost certainly refers to a 3-phase distribution feeder crossing the property, originating from the Palmer Substation. This is a best-case scenario, as it could dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of interconnection by avoiding the need for a new, lengthy line extension (gen-tie).