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Wells select board schedules public hearing on temporary data‑center moratorium
Summary
The select board voted to schedule a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for data centers on June 16, 2026, citing concerns about water and other resource impacts and the need for time to study land‑use rules.
The Wells select board on June 2 voted to hold a public hearing on a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers, setting the hearing for 06/16/2026 at 208 Sanford Road in the Littlefield Meeting Room.
Town counsel told the board communities are seeking moratoria to allow time to assess potential impacts of data centers — particularly on water and municipal services — and to consider appropriate land‑use regulations. "This is a totally new kind of use, and it could have impact," the attorney said, urging a pause to "take a breath and to enact whatever land use ordinances that may be appropriate for this use." The board agreed and moved to schedule a hearing so residents can review the draft language and comment.
Board members flagged resource demands and the need for zoning clarity. One select board member said the moratorium is not an absolute rejection of data centers but a temporary step "to look at the possible impacts, where they should go in town." The motion to hold the public hearing passed unanimously.
Next steps: the public hearing will consider the draft temporary moratorium and allow residents and stakeholders to present comments before the board deliberates further.
