BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA – What was intended to be a special board meeting to review the town of Massena’s tentative 2027 budget turned into a debate about data centers. 

Massena Town Supervisor Ray Lancto began the Oct. 5 meeting saying only one public comment period would be offered at the end of the meeting, limiting residents to comments only about the budget. 

Under state law, municipalities are not required to offer a public comment period during meetings, though attendees are allowed to observe, listen and record such meetings. 

In the case of a public hearing, public comment periods are required under state law. 

The decision to limit public comments drew the ire of outspoken critic Dave Fenton. 

“This is some bullshit going on right now,” he said as he briefly left the meeting. 

But moments later Fenton returned, waiting to comment at the end of the meeting. 

Though he said his comments were regarding the tentative budget and the lack of funds set aside for “expected legal fees,” Fenton quickly pivoted to criticize the board’s handling of a proposed data center expansion from NYDIG at the former Alcoa East plant. 

Fenton has been a vocal critic of NYDIG’s project, as well as the board’s handling of the proposal, launching a petition to demand a three-year town-wide moratorium on data centers. 

That effort failed as the board voted 3-2 against a six-month moratorium last month. 

Voting against the moratorium were Deputy Town Supervisor Sam Carbone, along with Board Members Adrian Taraska and Jared Hollander. 

Voting in favor were Supervisor Ray Lancto and Board Member Kristy Baker-Dubrey. 

Fenton commented that he was concerned the town was not taking the project seriously enough and failed to budget for legal fees he said the town would incur from the project.
“I don’t know what is in the budget for legal fees, whether there is anything at all, but even if there is $250,000 it will not be enough when you are forced to litigate,” he said. 

Fenton reiterated many points he made in previous meetings, saying he was concerned the town would buy into “the idea of economic development and job creation” for far fewer jobs than promised. 

“When NCCS first came here, they promised 150 jobs. There are roughly 60 people working in Massena, far below what was promised. The expansion would not create the number of jobs they are saying will be created,” Fenton said. 

He noted many jobs are being phased out at other data centers across the nation as artificial intelligence is utilized further. 

Fenton also raised concerns about the long-term environmental impact and what health issues could arise from a hyper-scale data center being cited in Massena. 

“You need to think about the health of this community and its future generations,” he said. 

Fenton then engaged in a brief back and forth with Carbone, saying Carbone had “already made up his mind” despite saying otherwise.

“I have yet to make up my mind and I told you that. I also gave you my number and offered to meet with you to hear your concerns, whether you wanted to meet here, grab a cup of coffee or whatever else you wanted,” Carbone said. 

He told Fenton he had yet to make up his mind and wanted to hear from all parties before any action was taken. 

“They (NYDIG) are still going through environmental reviews and we have yet to hear back from the DEC on that process, so this is far from a done deal,” Carbone said.