South Berwick adopts data center moratorium
South Berwick Passes 180‑Day Moratorium on Data Centers
South Berwick’s Town Council voted 4‑0 to place a temporary pause on new data‑center projects, a move that follows a growing national debate over the environmental and infrastructural impact of large‑scale digital facilities. The moratorium is retroactive to July 14, 2026, the date the planning board first sought legal guidance on drafting the ordinance.
The decision, made Tuesday night, means that any data‑center proposal submitted on or after July 14 is halted until the council re‑examines the issue. At the time of the vote, councilors said they were not aware of any pending applications.
South Berwick is not alone. Nearby Sanford, for example, has adopted a similar moratorium, but with stricter size limits. While Sanford’s guidelines cap potential facilities at 100,000 square feet, South Berwick’s planning board has reduced that threshold to just 10,000 square feet. “We reduced that to 10,000, thinking that was more appropriate for this town and the level of industry that’s here currently,” said Tony Palazzetti, a planning‑board member who is also running for a seat on the council. Palazzetti added that larger data centers could place a significant burden on the town’s water and electricity supplies.
The moratorium will expire roughly three weeks before the state’s own recommendations on large‑scale data‑center development, slated for release on January 29, 2027. Councilor Joel Martin noted that the town will follow those guidelines once they become available. “We recognize we’re on a very tight window to do that, and we’re ready to pursue,” Palazzetti told the council. The board has committed to using the findings of its studies to draft permanent ordinances, which could either set new guidelines or impose outright bans on future proposals.
The council’s unanimous vote reflects a broader trend in Maine, where several municipalities are reassessing the role of data centers in their communities. In South Berwick’s case, the moratorium was adopted after the planning board consulted a lawyer on July 14 to prepare ordinance language. By setting the pause retroactively, the town ensures that any projects that might have been green‑lit between July and the vote are automatically halted.
Vice Chair Mallory Cook was absent from the meeting, but the council’s decision was clear: 180 days of silence on data‑center proposals, with the possibility of extension if the planning board demonstrates progress on drafting definitive regulations.
South Berwick’s action underscores a cautious approach to technology infrastructure, balancing economic opportunity with concerns about strain on local resources. The town’s leadership remains open to future development, but only after comprehensive studies and state guidance are in place.
As the debate over data‑center placement continues across the country, South Berwick’s 180‑day moratorium may serve as a model for other small communities grappling with the potential benefits and drawbacks of hosting large digital facilities.
