Agawam moves toward 270-day moratorium on data centers
The Agawam City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a 270-day moratorium on data centers. This measure aims to give the city time to research data centers and develop protective ordinances before any developers express interest. Residents and councilors raised concerns about potential water usage and noise from future data center developments.
The Agawam City Council in Hampden County, Massachusetts, has unanimously approved the first reading of a 270-day moratorium on data center development. Sponsored by Mayor Christopher Johnson and City Council President Anthony Russo, the moratorium is intended to provide the city with time to research data centers and establish a protective ordinance. Mayor Johnson noted that while no developers are currently interested in Agawam, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is actively soliciting such projects.
Council President Russo emphasized the proactive nature of the measure, acknowledging that Agawam is not an immediate target for data centers due to its lack of city-owned utilities, but noted that circumstances could change. The council plans to consult with experts across various fields before drafting a comprehensive ordinance. Councilors Peter McNair, Christine Rickmon, Robert Rossi, George Bitzas, and Edward Borgatti discussed the process, with Rickmon advocating for transparency and Rossi expressing skepticism about Agawam's desirability for developers.
During a public hearing, several residents voiced their support for the moratorium, with no opposition recorded. Uduak Enyiema highlighted that the moratorium positions Agawam strongly, while Diane Arventos expressed significant concerns about potential excessive water consumption and noise, calling the use of water for data centers "criminal." Dennis Doroshencko underscored the prudence of enacting the measure before developer interest materializes.