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Waterville council votes to draft moratorium resolution on data center applications
Summary
After hours of public comment and council debate over land availability, definitions and transparency, the council voted to have the law director prepare a moratorium resolution on data‑center and related applications for presentation and vote at the Dec. 8 meeting.
Mayor Rich Bingham opened the Nov. 24 meeting by telling residents the city did not have a legally sufficient moratorium ordinance ready for immediate adoption and that any ordinance must comply with City of Waterville Charter requirements. He said council would prepare formal legislation and return to the Dec. 8 meeting for a vote.
The council heard consecutive public comments from residents who said data centers would threaten the city’s rural character and raised concerns about resource use and local impacts. “Studies have shown data centers are not required to report their water usage,” one resident said, adding they “can typically use up to 600,000 gallons per day.” Other speakers raised worries about around‑the‑clock noise,…
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