East Bridgewater Moves to Ban Commercial Data Centers Town-Wide
The East Bridgewater Planning Board voted unanimously to sponsor a town-wide zoning amendment that would completely prohibit commercial data centers. This measure will now move forward to a formal public hearing next month before consideration at the Town Meeting. The proposed bylaw explicitly defines and prohibits commercial data facilities across all zoning districts.
The East Bridgewater Planning Board unanimously voted to sponsor a town-wide zoning amendment that would outright prohibit commercial data centers. The decision came during a special session as the board addressed growing regional concerns over the expansion of high-density computing infrastructure.
Town Counsel prepared the proposed bylaw, which defines data centers as facilities primarily engaged in digital data storage, processing, cloud hosting, cryptocurrency mining, or artificial intelligence operations. It explicitly excludes standard accessory IT hardware and public utility facilities not used for commercial data hosting or cryptocurrency mining. Under this draft language, commercial data facilities would be designated an expressly prohibited use across all zoning districts in East Bridgewater.
Planning Board Chair Kevin Reilly clarified that the vote established the board's sponsorship of the zoning article and scheduled a required public hearing for September 21, 2026. The motion passed with unanimous support from all five members present.