Chair says 'no application' as Board reviews history of potential data center

Gerard Smith, chair of the Beacon Falls Board of Selectmen, told the board and about 16 members of the public that "there is no application for a data center at this time," and walked the group through the project's history. He said O&G approached the town in 2021–22, the town held information sessions and a 2022 town meeting vote approved the proposal then the project became dormant and the agreement was later terminated.

Smith said a July 2026 real-estate listing marketed the parcel as an "AI data center," which reignited public discussion; he said O&G was not aware of that marketing and would scale back the listing after being notified. Smith described technical points he had gathered about modern facilities, including the use of closed-circuit water systems to avoid impacts on municipal wastewater, self-generating power via fuel cells with redundancy, and limited expected traffic and school impacts. He said he plans to tour a comparable newer facility and to conduct a sound study to evaluate potential noise impacts.

The remarks were presented as factual background and no formal application or zoning action was on file. Smith emphasized that if the proposal resurfaces it would return to the public process "from square one," giving residents the opportunity for input.