Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges Griswold to add 'anti‑data center' restriction, cites water and land impacts
Summary
During public forum, a resident identified as Ransom asked the town to adopt a prohibition like its anti‑fracking ordinance to block data centers and related development, citing large power and water demands and past eminent‑domain impacts; the board asked for written details for follow-up.
At the June 23 public forum a resident who identified himself as Ransom urged the Board of Selectmen to consider an ordinance to restrict data centers and similar large computing facilities.
"I want them to put in an anti- media center and data center," Ransom said, urging a policy similar to the town's anti‑fracking ordinance. He warned of large land take, high power use and heavy water consumption: "They're using 50,000 gallons of water a day and then they're probably up to 200,000 gallons," he said, voicing concern about regional impacts.
Ransom also referenced past projects and eminent‑domain claims he said had harmed local businesses and expressed opposition to Navy‑affiliated projects, asking the board to consider not allowing "electric boat" or similar Navy projects in town.
Board members thanked Ransom for raising the issue and asked him to submit details in writing so staff and elected officials would have a record to review. "If you wouldn't mind maybe sending a letter, an email, whatever you're comfortable with ... kind of elaborate a little more on what your thoughts are," a selectman said.
The remarks were public comment; no ordinance proposal or vote was taken at the meeting. The board requested written input to inform any potential future agenda item.
