Data center moratorium on Athol Special Town Meeting warrant
Athol voters will consider a proposed one-year moratorium on data center construction, expansion and related land-use approvals at a Special Town Meeting. The pause would give town officials time to study infrastructure, water, electricity, environmental and public-health impacts and develop zoning rules for future data centers.
Athol voters are scheduled to decide at a Nov. 9 Special Town Meeting whether to enact a one-year moratorium on data center construction, expansion, conversion and related zoning or land-use approvals. Article 9 would prevent the town from accepting, processing or approving applications for data centers during the moratorium.
Planning and Development Director Eric Smith and Select Board member Marc Maxwell cited concerns about electricity demand, water use, wastewater capacity, infrastructure costs, noise and potential residential impacts. David Small, chair of the Board of Planning and Community Development, said the pause would allow officials to establish siting criteria, setbacks and other regulations. The Planning and Community Development Board, Select Board and Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee have unanimously supported the proposal, while a recent executive order from Gov. Maura Healey requires explicit local support for new data centers in Massachusetts.