Residents press Pembroke board to monitor nearby hyperscale data‑center proposal

Several residents told the board they are worried about the potential regional impacts of a proposed hyperscale data center in the neighboring town of Bow and asked Pembroke officials to consider communicating concerns to Bow and the governor's office.

Hamilton Karas told the board he fears local consequences and asked the board to "put together some communication to the governor or to the town of Bow asking for a moratorium on these hyperscale data centers," arguing they can bring heavy water and electrical demands, noise concerns, and could affect assessed values and local tax rates. "...the impact of it here would only be negative," Karas said, adding that such projects often produce relatively few local jobs compared with their local impacts.

Board members acknowledged they have limited direct authority but discussed notification procedures: if the project is declared a development of regional impact, Pembroke would receive formal notice; otherwise residents should monitor Bow's public notices and the project planning process. A board member suggested inviting Bow or the developers to a meeting or asking staff to monitor and, if appropriate, coordinate a formal intermunicipal response to secure protections or mitigation commitments on noise, water use and other operational conditions.