Sample Questions for Town Officials:
• Consider questions that, arguably, aren’t helpful. Questions about what town officials actually got done since May 13 to carry out what is required by the Moratorium, Article 38 are fair…but the point is not finding fault but protecting the town. The Mansfield Data Center Bylaw is like a Golden Ticket because Templeton can copy most of it, avoiding lots of work. Let’s move forward with that as a basis.
• Question: Article 38 says Templeton’s Development Services shall develop a timeline to prepare bylaws on Data Centers to present at town meeting - for a vote. What does the timeline look like now and why can’t a Data Center bylaw be ready by September 21?
• Question: What remains to be done before development services has a Data Center bylaw ready to go?
• Question: Article 38 tells development services to obtain recommendations for Templeton’s Data Center bylaw from professionals with expertise in data centers. Also, to consult with town departments. Has this been done? If not, why not?
• Question: A Templeton Data Center bylaw article is supposed to be presented at town meeting for a vote, per Article 38. There is no benefit and great risk to delay this. Even if town officials argue Templeton does not have the electric grid or other things a Data Center needs….the fact is Data Center’s huge resources can make what they need happen overnight! Once they get their foot in the door, Data Centers’ unlimited money can do whatever it takes to get them up and running. Even if it costs several thousand dollars; even though the town is going for an override on September 28, Templeton’s Data Center bylaw is a priority because only regulations protect the town from even further loss Are all boards and offices in town in agreement to get this done asap, and if not why not?
• Question: Article 38 directs Development Services to consult with other departments to create Templeton’s Data Center bylaw in order to understand: Electric/power impacts, water availability/capacity, sewer capacity, noise, legal implications, traffic, effects on surrounding infrastructure. This information is readily available. Are there any problems with getting this done? What problems?
• Question: In Article 38, Templeton voters expressly asked for zoning bylaw on Data Centers that included a “Community Benefit Agreement”. This must include the need for a Data Center to pay for all infrastructure upgrades related to their activities, accept responsibility for payment of any excess costs (e.g. electric rate) related to their activities so that these are NOT passed on to residents or the town, and to post a decommissioning bond to pay for any cleanup costs should the Data Center be abandoned for any reason.
After all, Data Centers use equipment with a limited shelf life. Think how many years a cell phone lasts, on average. Do taxpayers here want to pay for restoration of a Data Center property after it ceases operation? No.
Therefore…will the Community Benefit Agreement protect residents from bearing all costs related to a data center, including decommissioning, and with what terms?
Remember: Article 38 is a temporary bylaw we passed about protecting Templeton and its residents from potential harm from unregulated Data Centers by getting a permanent Data Center Bylaw. Let’s get it done. Excuses to delay action are questionable.
******* Article 38, Passed by Voters on May 13, 2026. *******
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
We, the undersigned, are qualified voters of the Town of Templeton and request the subject below be acted upon at the next Annual Town Meeting.
To see if the town will vote to amend zoning bylaws to add the following 360-DAY MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTERS:
WHEREAS, with the proliferation of Data Center expansion in Massachusetts, cities and towns have taken moratoriums under advisement, in order to review their zoning and land use, and to formulate regulations governing the impacts of these facilities, which require adoption by ordinance of the governing body of a city or town; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Templeton’s zoning and land use and development regulations make no specific provision for Data Centers within the Town, either by right or special use permit.
WHEREAS, Data Centers may pose significant risks to safety and quality of life, including use of large capacity diesel generators, fuel tanks, and noise.
THEREFORE, the town shall adopt the following definition in Article II, Definitions §300-7 Interpretation and word usage, terms defined:
DATA CENTERS: a building or series of buildings that houses and supports the high-performance servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and related computing infrastructure and equipment necessary for storing, processing, and distributing data and applications.
FURTHERMORE, the Town shall adopt a 360-DAY MORATORIUM ON “DATA CENTERS”
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this temporary moratorium is to provide the Town an opportunity to better understand the impacts, if any, that the construction, expansion, and operation of Data Centers will have on Town infrastructure and, more generally, the overall quality of life for the residents of Templeton. As a result, theTown shall conduct an analysis and/or comprehensive study to determine the impact of said construction on police, fire, and emergency public safety, the school district, water, sewer, roadway infrastructures and the safety of the general public. This list of potential impacts is not exhaustive and may include additional impacts, as identified.
There is hereby imposed, effective immediately, a 360-day moratorium on any new construction and development within the Town of Templeton of “Data Centers”, as defined above. Said moratorium prohibits acceptance by the town of any new applications and permits for zoning permissions and decisions for the intended purpose of the development and operation of a Data Center.
Further, this moratorium shall apply to any “new” expansion for the construction and development of existing data centers. However, the term “new” as applied to the expansion of existing data centers, shall not apply retroactively, apart from any specific exception as prescribed in the governing statute, M.G.L. c. 40A: Zoning. Per M.G.L. c. 40A s. 6: “...a zoning ordinance or by-law shall not apply to structures or uses lawfully in existence or lawfully begun, or to a building or special permit issued before the first publication of notice of the public hearing on such ordinance or by-law required by section five...”
Should the Templeton Zoning Bylaws be amended prior to the expiration of the 360-day period to regulate Data Centers, the moratorium shall terminate on the effective date of amendment. The moratorium period may be extended, one (1) time, by a 2/3 vote at town meeting, not to exceed 180 days. During the term of this moratorium, town staff shall review current Zoning Codes and Regulations, seek recommendations and input from industry experts and professionals with specific knowledge of Data Centers and any impacts these facilities have on the community, and to propose revisions to Templeton Zoning Bylaws, when deemed appropriate, to be placed before the voters for consideration. Further, during the term of this moratorium, Town staff shall endeavor, specifically, to identify the most effective policies and procedures for the enforcement of any condition(s) required of Data Centers. Additionally, Town staff shall review and consider a Community Benefit Agreement requirement for Data Centers. Templeton Development Services shall consult with other town departments to ensure any recommendations address the impact on power, water, sewer availability and capacity limitations, noise, as well as any potential legal implications. Said recommendations shall also consider the impact on traffic and any other adverse impact on adjacent infrastructure. Emphasis should also be given to enforcement of regulations following construction and development, including operational limitations reasonably intended to ameliorate public concerns of legitimate land uses.
Templeton’s Development Services staff shall develop a timeline, within the 360-day period, to allow for recommendation and adoption of amendments to Templeton’s Zoning By-laws in accordance with the procedures set forth in M.G.L. c. 40A and present these at town meeting for consideration of voters.
Or take any other action relative thereto.
