BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Town of Massena officials are taking no action regarding a proposed data center that has been proposed at the former Alcoa East plant during tonight's town board meeting, despite numerous reports to the contrary. 

Town officials confirmed with North Country This Week the board would not take any action on the proposal as the Town Planning Board was in the initial stages of review. 

The Town Planning Board will hear a proposal regarding the proposed data center tomorrow night, May 21, at 5 p.m. at the Massena Town Hall. 

As for the Town Board, tonight's agenda with action items can be found here.

The site plan calls for three large structures to be built, one totaling 535,000 square feet, with the second to be 515,000 square feet and the third coming in at 400,000 square feet. 

The plan also calls for 316 diesel generators at the location, though NYDIG officials said that figure could be reduced. 

At any given time 20 would be running, with the company saying each would be used "on a rotating basis." 

A new electrical substation would also be required, though the operator would use some of the existing infrastructure owned by the Power Authority, utilizing NYPA power lines. 

County officials said the substation would account for an additional 200MW of power, along with the existing 200MW already allocated for the site. Despite the plan, officials said they were concerned about the amount of power to be utilized. 

A power purchase agreement has not been struck as of press time, officials said. 

County officials noted the power dam in Massena currently produces 800MW of power.

Town officials also issued a notice on the town's Facebook page to address the misinformation surrounding the possible 635 MW project. 

"There has been misinformation circulating on social media regarding data centers and actions being taken by the Town Board. Please be advised, there will be no vote and no public hearing regarding data centers during tonight's town board meeting," they wrote. 

Officials said they wanted to encourage residents to rely on official Town of Massena communication channels for accurate updates and information.

News of the proposal has been shared widely on social media in recent days, with many groups and organizations voicing direct opposition to the possible data center. 

Among them are the League of Women Voters and Akwesasne Mohawks United for Sovereignty and Heritage (MUSH). 

A story on the Citizen's Quill website detailed recent actions from various boards, as well as a number of concerns which have also been raised in recent months by dozens of citizens who live in close proximity to the site. 

That story can be found here.

The League of Women Voters also submitted a Letter to the Editor at North Country Week as well. 

You can read the letter here. 

An information session will be held Tuesday, May 27 at the Massena Public Library as MUSH and area residents continue to educate the public about the effects of data centers. 

County legislators are also expected to vote on a resolution during the June 1 Full Board meeting which would ensure local authority over data centers, as opposed to state authority to approve such projects. 

That meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse in Canton.

County officials said during the May 11 Operations Committee meeting the resolution would allow for more direct oversight.