Agawam Council Passes First Reading of Data Center Moratorium 11-0

Select Board · Meeting of August 3, 2026

Agawam City Council approves first reading of data center moratorium while clearing emergency school roof funding. The council voted 11-0 Monday to advance an ordinance, TOR 2026-4, placing a 270-day moratorium on data center permitting in the city, with a council vote available to extend the pause to a full year. Co-sponsors Council President Peter Russo and Mayor Johnson said no data center applications are currently pending, but the commonwealth is actively recruiting data centers to Massachusetts and the city needed time to develop protective zoning.

"This is pretty much us being proactive instead of reactive," Russo said. The council also voted 11-0 to accept a $91,700 Massachusetts Gaming Commission grant for approximately 10 new Motorola Solutions radios for frontline fire apparatus, and approved an emergency appropriation for a feasibility study on roof replacements at the city's four elementary schools, a project backed by $125,000 in state funding from Senator Veals and targeted for completion in 2027. Five residents spoke in favor of the moratorium during the public hearing; none opposed.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 2,635 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.