BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Massena town board members recently voted down a proposed six-month moratorium on data centers despite months of lobbying by area residents and activities, though a planned expansion at the former Alcoa East still hangs in limbo. 

Despite assertions from NYDIG officials that the project can move forward, an existing one-year moratorium put in place this June by Governor Kathy Hochul remains. 

The project is being proposed by NCCS. The company says its plans are not covered by the state's current moratorium on certain large data centers because the project does not need additional discretionary permits from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

That's why residents pushed for a three-year moratorium, saying it would be added insurance to slow development while new regulations could be put in place before the project takes root.

But Hochul's executive order states that any proposed project requiring 50MW or more of power would have applications for any discretionary permit, approval, license or similar form of permission held in abeyance. 

Another issue that could delay the project is language that says projects not already under construction are wrapped up in the moratorium. 

In the case of NYDIG's project, ground has yet to be broken as the firm plans to build three new structures at the site. 

Each structure will encompass 150,000 to 200,000 square feet and see more than 355 acres developed at the expansion site.

As for the town's perspective, views are mixed. 

Town Supervisor Ray Lancto told attendees at the Sept. 16 meeting that the project was exempt from the governor's moratorium. 

But in the case of Deputy Town Supervisor Sam Carbone, he said it's not as simple as proceeding forward with the project as has been presented. 

"We still need to wait for all the reports and reviews to come back," he said in reference to DEC reviews and a SEQR.

Voting against the moratorium were Carbone and Board Members Adrian Taraska and Jared Hollander. 

As Hollander put it, he wants to give NYDIG a chance to work with the town and better the community. 

"I’ve had a chance to speak to the developers. They’ve seemed willing to work with us and earnestly try to make the community better. I’m not saying let’s jump all in a go with them, but I think it’s worthwhile to explore it," he said. 

NCCS, which is owned by NYDIG and operates the current facility, has long supported local events, organizations and charities with major donations, officials said. 

Carbone also said if the project does proceed forward a Host Community Agreement must be worked out as well. 

"We also need to see what can be worked out in a Host Community Agreement that brings real benefits to the whole community. There is still a lot of work to do before we get there. That is why we are going through this review process, getting the facts, and making sure the Town and its residents are protected," he said. 

In many instances in which municipalities have allowed such developments, Host Community Agreements have led to millions of dollars being contributed to schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure. 

Still, in other cases data centers have had negative environmental impacts, ranging from excess heat, noise and light pollution, to loss of wildlife and habitats. 

It's a balancing act in many cases, but Carbone said any negative environmental impact makes it a non-starter. 

Many residents have voiced concern with the board in recent months, with meetings spiraling out of control to the point that infighting amongst residents arose. 

Public comment periods are supposed to allow residents to address the board for a set time frame, usually three to five minutes in most cases, though residents are not supposed to address each other. 

In Massena, that hasn't stopped residents from largely taking control of meetings for large chunks of time. 

During the most recent meeting, Board Member Kristy Baker Dubrey sought to quell the infighting that began as some residents took exception with former Massena Mayor Jim Hidy's comments to support NYDIG and the project. 

The comments led to a heated back-and-forth between Dubrey and Hidy, who told Dubrey she needed to earn the respect of residents before demanding it.

Carbone said he took exception with those who have continually criticized the board which, up until the Sept. 16 meeting, had yet to take any action on the project or a moratorium. 

Carbone said he takes the job seriously, as do all board members, and is willing to ask tough questions of the firm, listen to resident's concerns and access all information to make a proper decision based on the facts. 

"People have every right to disagree with me, and I respect that. But I do take offense when someone tries to discredit me or claims to know what my position or final decision will be before this process is finished," he said. 

Carbone asked for residents to wait for all studies to come back and to allow experts to do their work to best inform the public. 

"Let’s see what protections can be put into local law and what a binding Host Community Agreement can actually provide for Massena. Then judge us on the decisions we actually make, not on assumptions about decisions that have not been made," he said.