Planning board rejects citizen petition for battery storage moratorium as Board of Health drafts rules

A citizen petition seeking a townwide moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BESS) through May 12, 2027, was recommended against by the Town of Templeton Planning Board at a public hearing on March 25.

The chair read the petition language and committee members expressed safety and scope concerns. One committee member said BESS can be "potentially dangerous" if a battery fire starts, highlighting the risk the petition sought to address. In response, a staff member told the board: "Through the Board of Health, we have begun the process of creating more strict regulations for BESSs." The staff member said draft regulations have been distributed to Board of Health members and will be shared with other boards and departments for review before adoption.

Board members also criticized the petition's lack of stated objectives and noted no petition authors were present to explain intended safeguards or a plan of action. The chair and one member said a moratorium is typically used when a municipality intends to develop stricter local rules or infrastructure plans during the pause; they found no such plan presented at the hearing.

After discussion the board moved and voted to recommend against placing the moratorium on the town meeting warrant. The vote was recorded by voice; the chair announced the board's recommendation. The staff action item that emerged from the hearing is for the Board of Health to circulate and coordinate draft BESS regulations with other town boards.

Next steps: The Board of Health will continue drafting regulations and will share drafts with the Planning Board and other departments for comment; the moratorium petition was recorded as not recommended and will be reported to the Town Clerk as the board's advisory recommendation.