Council adopts two-year data center moratorium
Attleboro council trims a proposed data center moratorium from five years to two. Councilor Gilbert told colleagues the city solicitor warned a longer ban "was unlikely to pass scrutiny" in court, after other municipalities saw similar moratoriums "struck down."
City Council · Meeting of August 20, 2026
Attleboro council trims a proposed data center moratorium from five years to two. Councilor Gilbert told colleagues the city solicitor warned a longer ban "was unlikely to pass scrutiny" in court, after other municipalities saw similar moratoriums "struck down." The amended ordinance, running through July 1, 2028, passed without dissent, as did a separate vote rescinding deadlines on a 5.496-acre Highland Avenue lease tied to the Highland Senior Affordable Apartments and Community Center. The council also approved $2 million for Bartek Center improvements and $850,000 for downtown streetscape work from HUD earmark grants, a $35,000 Riverwalk Arts sculpture donation for Robbins Park, and an $8,545 Sturdy Health gift for automated crosswalk lighting.
Councilor Mike Angelo noted data centers' water use but said "maybe that's going to get better." Nine Finance Committee items, including $78,680 for Thatcher Elementary's HVAC system, all cleared on unanimous roll calls.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,411 words
Source: the City Council meeting of August 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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