Council refers data center moratorium to Planning Board
The Southbridge Town Council voted 9-0 to send a proposed data center zoning moratorium to the Planning Board, after rejecting a simplified version 2-7.
Select Board · Meeting of August 10, 2026
SOUTHBRIDGE — The Southbridge Town Council voted 9-0 to send a proposed data center zoning moratorium to the Planning Board, after rejecting a simplified version 2-7. Councilor Montigny called the draft's language a "D+" but backed it anyway, while Councilor Kelly said the detailed study list was meant to be "a starting point" rather than binding. The council also confirmed firefighter Patrick Normandon's hire, son of the fire chief, who recused himself per department tradition; a deputy chief said Normandon beat out 41 applicants.
Separately, the council approved a five-year Whitewater Incorporated water contract amendment raising the annual fee to $1.7 million through 2031, and Councilor Kelly used forum time to rebut social media claims that developer Lundgren Equity Partners planned a data center at the former Southbridge Innovation Center site.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,360 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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