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New Milford council authorizes expert review and nonbinding referendum after widespread opposition to Flatiron battery project
Summary
After extensive public comment raising environmental and safety concerns, the Town Council unanimously authorized hiring environmental experts funded by a municipal participation account and set a nonbinding referendum as it prepares to intervene in the Siting Council process.
The New Milford Town Council voted Jan. 12 to hire outside environmental experts and to schedule a nonbinding town referendum as residents raised broad concerns about a proposed Flatiron battery storage facility.
Mayor Pete Bass told the council the town will host a workshop on Jan. 26 at New Milford High School where Flatiron will present to the Town Council, the Inland Wetlands Commission and the Zoning Commission; Flatiron will also present independently on Jan. 21 at Sarah Noble. Bass said the company has not yet filed an application with the Connecticut Siting Council, that the proposed site lies in a residential zone and that the town can begin municipal participation steps now, including accessing a $40,000 municipal participation account to fund third‑party experts. "There is not a lot of history with this particular company, which concerns the town and its residents," Bass said.
Council members voted unanimously to authorize the Town to hire environmental professionals and to create a date for a nonbinding referendum; the motion was moved by Mayor Bass and seconded by Rolando Castro. Earlier in the meeting a separate motion by Councilor Ari Rosenberg to suspend the rules and add the Flatiron item failed 3–6; a later motion to add the item passed unanimously and the substantive motion authorizing expert review followed.
Dozens of residents spoke during the public comment period, pressing the council to act. Carol Tyrer, who said she lives directly across from the proposed site, told the council "this property is not just residential — it is historical," and raised concerns about health risks. Several speakers urged the town to retain environmental and legal counsel and to demand stronger protections, including a high restoration bond and refusal of tax abatements should the Siting Council approve the project.
Local scientist Samuel Brauer described technical risks associated with large lithium‑ion battery arrays, warning that fires can reignite after appearing extinguished and that combustion can create toxic byproducts such as hydrogen fluoride. Brauer said placing those systems over an aquifer would be problematic because water can complicate firefighting and persistent heat can re‑ignite cells.
Town Attorney Randy DiBella briefed the council on next steps and said that while a municipal moratorium might not be honored by the Connecticut Siting Council it would signal strong municipal concern. The Mayor said the Town Attorney and retained environmental counsel — including DiBella and outside attorneys Dan Casagrande and John Tower of Cramer Anderson — would be engaged if the council moves forward with hiring experts.
The council also discussed making the town an intervener in the Siting Council process, a step that enables participation in hearings and access to intervention funds. Bass told the council that the municipal participation account could provide $40,000 that the town could use to retain technical experts to review Flatiron's application when it arrives.
The council’s action directs staff to pursue professional review and to set a date for a nonbinding referendum so the town electorate can formally register its views. The Town plans follow‑up meetings as Flatiron completes its local presentations and, if an application is filed, as the Siting Council process advances.
