Pompey board secures $120,000 grant for master-plan update and weighs short moratorium on data centers

A board member said the town has secured consultant paperwork and a pledged $120,000 to cover the cost of a master-plan update that will include code revisions, a move officials said would avoid out-of-pocket spending by the town. “Dave Knapp committed to help us get the grant for a $120,000, which is gonna cover the cost for them to redo the master plan and include the codes,” the board member said.

The commitment came during the supervisor’s report, when officials said consultants had received requested certificates of insurance, disability and workers’ compensation information and could proceed. The board agreed members should review the consultants’ recommendations and begin planning next steps.

Town accountants cautioned the board about rising retiree obligations. Jim, the town’s accountant, told the board the preliminary retirement invoice “is about 16% higher” than the prior figure and that actuarial calculations late in the year could change the final number.

Separately, several board members raised the idea of a short moratorium on data centers and some large renewable-energy projects while the master plan is finalized. One board member said moratoria are commonly used as temporary “stop-gap” measures to prevent rapid development until planning rules are updated; another member noted six months is a typical moratorium length but warned such actions can be subject to legal challenge or pre-emption where state law or utility jurisdiction applies.

Board members asked staff to research the legal and procedural steps required to place a moratorium on the next agenda so the town can weigh protections while finishing the master plan.

The board also accepted routine financial items — including the supervisor’s monthly report and bank reconciliations — by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

What’s next: The board will circulate the consultants’ recommendations for review and consider placing a moratorium item on a future agenda after legal research and drafting of an ordinance or local law.