Beacon Falls holding meeting on data center proposal
Beacon Falls held a public meeting to discuss a potential data center after a local developer, O&G Industries, marketed land for the purpose, despite no official proposal being submitted to the town. Residents expressed significant concerns about environmental impact, noise, and resource consumption. Community members urged the Board of Selectmen to enact a moratorium on data center construction.
Beacon Falls, Connecticut, hosted a public meeting to address community concerns over a potential data center development after local developer O&G Industries listed 40 acres of land for sale as "Connecticut's largest data center." Economic Development Commission Chairman Jack Betkowski clarified that no official proposal had been submitted to the town, stating the meeting served as an informational session to quell confusion.
Residents voiced strong opposition to the prospective project, citing data centers as "massively invasive." George Seri, whose family lives near the site, expressed concerns about growing up near such a facility, while Desiree Brooks highlighted the environmental importance of the nearby Naugatuck River. Community members also raised issues about potential power usage, high water consumption, and noise, mirroring broader debates across the country.
Citizens criticized the lack of transparency, noting they discovered the potential development through online searches rather than official town communications. By the end of the meeting, a clear sentiment emerged among the attendees, calling for the Beacon Falls Board of Selectmen to implement a moratorium on data center construction to prevent future developments.