Selectmen Let Data Center Moratorium Motion Die

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of October 21, 2026

Somerset Selectmen let a data center moratorium motion die for lack of a second after a process dispute. Selectman Todd Costa moved to send a draft zoning moratorium to the Planning Board following Taunton's recent ban on data centers, but Selectman Joseph Bednarik objected to using the agenda's 48-hour emergency provision, saying "I don't see it as an emergency item." Chairman Allen Smith agreed, and the motion failed without a second or a rescheduled date. Separately, the board voted 2-1 to adopt a Cannabis Control Commission compliance policy, with Costa dissenting, "If we don't stand on principle on this, when do we stand?" The town collects about $300,000 annually in cannabis tax revenue versus roughly $1.7 million for the state.

The board also voted unanimously to sign a three-year firefighters contract, retroactive to July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

In the full story:

• Brayton Point Park Designation
• State Election Warrant and Early Voting
• Community Preservation Act Project Priorities
• Council on Aging Resignation and Cultural Council Vacancy
• Cannabis Control Commission Compliance Vote
• Fire Union Memorandum of Agreement
• Meeting Schedule and Board of Health Regulations
• Data Center Moratorium Motion
• Town Administrator Updates: Meals That Matter
• Citizens Input
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,756 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of October 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.