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Select Board keeps Article 8 on town-meeting warning, debates public outreach for proposed moratorium on AI/data centers
Summary
The board approved the town-meeting warning as presented — including Article 8 asking for a five‑year temporary moratorium on siting AI and peripheral data centers — amid debate about whether voters need more public outreach before the floor vote; staff recommended additional informational sessions.
The Select Board voted to approve the town-meeting warning as presented, which includes Article 8: a proposed nonbinding resolution asking the town to adopt a policy to impose a five‑year temporary moratorium on the siting and construction of AI and peripheral data centers. Staff advised that voters should be informed before the article reaches the floor, noting prior controversy when major planning changes were perceived as poorly publicized.
Town staff advised the board there should be public outreach before a vote: "There needs to be public outreach. The voters need to know about data centers before they see an article," staff said, arguing for informational sessions, a pre-town meeting presentation and distribution of written materials. Other board members countered that town meeting itself can be a public forum where voters weigh in and that including the article on the warning ensures broader participation. The board decided to leave Article 8 on the warning and approved the full warning by voice vote.
