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Cornwall proposes ban on data centers, large battery facilities
Ruth Epstein
Sep 22, 2026
Cornwall Town Hall
File photo
Connecticut is making it easier for these data centers. We are concerned about the water and electricity needed for them. We don’t want them. — P&Z Chairman Anna Timell
CORNWALL — Cornwall is moving to shut the door on data centers and large-scale battery storage facilities before a developer attempts to submit plans for either type of project.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has proposed amending the town’s zoning regulations to define and prohibit both uses. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Cornwall Library.
If the P&Z Commission votes in favor of a ban, the zoning regulations will have to be amended to define centers and prohibit them.
The proposal comes as Connecticut offers tax incentives to attract data centers and promotes battery storage as part of its efforts to modernize the electric grid and expand renewable energy.
At the same time, communities are raising concerns about the facilities’ effects on electricity and water supplies, as well as community character.
In an interview, P&Z Chairman Anna Timell said commissioners are concerned that Cornwall’s fallow agricultural land could attract development, despite the town’s many conservation protections.
“But we worry about preserving those lands. Connecticut is making it easier for these data centers. We are concerned about the water and electricity needed for them. We don’t want them,” she said.
Janell Mullen, the commission’s consultant, prepared a memorandum in which she said data centers and battery energy storage systems “are becoming one of the most significant land-use challenges facing Connecticut planning and zoning commissions.
These projects can have profound impacts on local zoning, public safety, utilities, environmental concerns and the scenic quality of a small town like Cornwall.”
A data center is defined as a facility, structure or campus of structures primarily used for the storage, processing and distribution of digital data and information, including cloud-based services and network operations.
They typically include high density server and data storage equipment, telecommunications and networking infrastructure, mechanical systems for cooling, onsite electrical substations and security, monitoring and operational support infrastructure.
Traditional centers are often 25,000 to 100,000 square feet.
Mullen said towns in Connecticut are vulnerable because the state has established tax incentives to attract data center development. The law provides significant tax benefits for qualified centers and state agencies are actively marketing them as a destination.
The ban would also prohibit a battery energy storage system (BESS), which is a stationary system or facility designed to store electrical energy using rechargeable batteries or similar technologies for later use. They store and discharge electricity as needed. They can occupy several acres and contain hundreds of lithium-ion battery cabinets.
The state’s electric grid modernization efforts and renewable energy goals are driving demand for utility-scale battery storage facilities, Mullen said.
In her memorandum, she noted Morris has enacted a two-year moratorium on data centers and Groton, with a one-year moratorium, has developed regulations governing their location and operation.
She said many Connecticut towns are beginning to realize they have little, or no zoning language addressing either use.
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More than 50 teams test their knowledge at Kent Quiz Night
Lans Christensen
Sep 22, 2026
More that 50 teams filled the Kent firehouse Saturday, Sept. 19, for Kent Memorial Library’s annual Quiz Night fundraiser. Creative team names included “Let’s Get Quizzical,” “Trivia Killed the Radio Star” and “I Thought This Was Bingo.”
Lans Christensen
KENT — More than 50 teams packed the Kent firehouse Saturday, Sept. 19, for Kent Memorial Library’s annual Quiz Night.
Competitors gathered around tables beside the firetrucks, bringing food and refreshments for an evening of trivia and community competition.
The teams showed some creativity before the questions even began, with team names that included, “Let’s Get Quizzical,” “Trivia Killed the Radio Star,” “Schroedinger’s Cats,” “We Couldn’t Find Two Friends,” “I Thought This Was Bingo” and “Kent We Just Google It?”
Teams of four answered questions over 10 rounds, with a break at the halfway point. The highest-scoring team was eligible for a $200 prize.
Each team paid an entry fee and contributed a bottle of wine toward a raffle basket. Proceeds from the event benefited Kent Memorial Library, an independent nonprofit library that relies on fundraising, memberships and donations in addition to financial support from the town.
The categories were creative and designed to stump as many contestants as possible. Topics included camp songs, human-body trivia and hairstyles.
One of the most talked-about challenges involved tasting and identifying saltwater taffy flavors, including the exotic chili mango.
The winning team was Lizzie Bennett and the Pemberlies, made up of Kent School faculty members.
“It was a very silly evening,” library Director Sarah Marshall said, “and we made a nice, tidy profit for the library.”
Marshall said a final total could not be determined until expenses were calculated, “but it was a good night all around.”
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Sharon housing project gets $500K
Christian Murray
Sep 22, 2026
SHARON — The Sharon Housing Trust has received a $500,000 state tax credit allocation to help finance its 10-unit affordable housing campus on North Main Street.
The funding will support renovations to six existing apartments in three buildings at 91, 93 and 95 North Main St. and the conversion of a fourth building, the former town community center at 99 North Main St., into four additional apartments.
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority approved the award through the state Housing Tax Credit Contribution Program.
The program allows businesses to contribute funds to approved nonprofit housing developments in exchange for credits against certain Connecticut taxes. CHFA administers the program and allocates the credits.
The latest award brings major grants and donations for the North Main Street project to at least $2.75 million. The trust previously received $2 million from the state Department of Housing and $250,000 from the Low Road Foundation. Individuals, businesses and other foundations have also contributed.
Following a groundbreaking ceremony in fall 2025, work began with roof repairs on the existing apartments. Additional construction work was delayed while the State Historic Preservation Office reviewed plans for the four buildings: the three existing apartment buildings at 91, 93 and 95 North Main St. and the former community center at 99 North Main St.
The historic preservation review has been completed, according to the trust, which is adjusting its plans in response. The organization will next seek bids for the remaining renovations and hire a general contractor to convert 99 North Main St.
The six existing apartments are two-bedroom units and are occupied. The conversion of 99 North Main St. is expected to create four more two-bedroom units.
The housing campus will be landscaped using a design donated by Sharon resident and landscape designer Lynden Miller.
“The grant of $500,000 from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority’s HTCC Program will help us make sure that our affordable housing campus provides real benefit to the town of Sharon,” trust President Richard Baumann said in a statement.
The project comes as home prices and rents have risen sharply in Sharon. The median home sale price reached $762,500 in the 12 months ending in May, according to figures reported by The Lakeville Journal.
Citing federal housing data, the trust reported in a June presentation that 380 Sharon households are burdened by housing costs, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
The trust, formed in 2005, says its housing is intended for local workers, families, young people, seniors and others who cannot afford the town’s market prices.
In a separate project, the organization plans to replace a bungalow at 160 Silver Lake Shores Road, near Mudge Pond, with a three-bedroom house. The property was donated anonymously in December 2024. The trust hopes to complete the house in 2027 and sell it at an affordable price to a qualified buyer.
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Mark Edward Peck
Lakeville Journal
Sep 22, 2026
VILLAGE OF MILLERTON — Mark Edward Peck, 70, a lifelong area resident died peacefully at his childhood home in Millerton, New York, just as his beloved father had several years prior. Mark worked as a self-employed roofing contractor for MCM Construction in Millerton, prior to his illness.
Born June 5, 1956, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Alan G. and S. Jean (Bathrick) Peck. He was educated in the Webutuck School District and he graduated high school with the class of 1974. On Sept. 22, 1984 in Copake Falls, New York, he married the love of his life, Jane E. Robertson. Mrs. Peck survives at home in Millerton.
Mark was an avid musician and played and sang in multiple bands throughout his life. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed caring for his lawn and yard work in general. He was an avid New York Giants fan and greatly enjoyed long rides over Mount Riga with his beloved wife Jane. Mark will forever be remembered as an all-around good guy and he will be dearly missed by his family and many dear friends.
In addition to his wife Jane, Mark is survived by his son, Edward Brammer III and his wife Amy of Sandisfield, Massachusetts; two brothers, Bruce Peck of Au Sable Forks, New York, and Glenn Peck and his wife Lynn of Webster, New York; two grandchildren, Jessica Stevens and her husband Will of Canaan, Connecticut, and Abby Magner and her husband Alex of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and five great grandchildren, Brayden, Lyla, Eli, Wyatt and Noah. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Gary Peck of Copake, New York.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, New York. A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor William Mayhew will officiate. A reception in Mark’s honor will follow at the Millerton Firehouse. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree is Mark’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
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John H. Belter
Lakeville Journal
Sep 22, 2026
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — John H. Belter Jr. 77, of South Burlington, Vermont died on Tuesday Sept. 15, 2026, at home, following a battle with liver cancer.
He was born on June 12, 1949, in Sharon, Connecticut, the son of John and Doretta Beaupre Belter. He graduated from Housatonic High School and the Ag School at the University of Connecticut. He was married in St. Marks Church in New Canaan, Connecticut to Joyce Nelson.
John and Joyce started their adventure with their own dairy farm by renting a farm in Lakeville, Connecticut just down the road from his family’s homestead. They leased it for three years until they were able to purchase Ethan Allen Farm in South Burlington, Vermont. John enjoyed being able to raise his family on his working dairy farm. He received numerous awards in FFA, the National Corn Growers Association, Farm Bureau, and Jaycees. Being selected as one of four Outstanding Farmers in America in 1984, lead to having breakfast with his family at the White House with President Ronald Regan.
John served on the South Burlington planning commission for many years and was active in the Jaycees, Kiwanis, 4-H Leader and Holstein Fresian Association. John enjoyed many sports including golf, basketball, and tennis.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Todd (Caroline) and his daughter Sarah (Anthony); five grandchildren; Jackson, Brayden, John, Cole, and Hadley; his brothers; Tom (Terry), James (Mindy), Stephen (Lori), and his sister Ann (Steve). John is also survived by Joyce’s sisters, Pam, and Sherry (Ken), along with many other loving family members.
He was predeceased by Jennifer, his daughter, who passed on Sept. 9, 2026, at the age of 49 from Ovarian Cancer, and by his parents.
Visiting hours will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, at LaVigne Funeral Home,132 Main Street, Winooski, Vermont. A graveside service will follow at 5:00pm at Merrill Cemetery, Route 15, Colchester (Across from St Michael’s College). In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in John’s name to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
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Joseph J. Stoeckert
Lakeville Journal
Sep 22, 2026
MILLERTON — Joseph J. Stoeckert (Uncle Joe), of Millerton, New York, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2026, at the age of 87.
Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York on Nov. 15, 1938, to Anthony Stoeckert Sr. and Martha Kirchman. He served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s before settling down in the Hudson Valley, where he opened Taconic Sports and Camping next to Rudd Pond. He also worked at the main library on the SUNY New Paltz campus, where he became a mentor to many students.
Joe was a beloved uncle, and he will be missed by his family; Karen, Joe, Ellen, Allyn, Oliver, Tim, Chris, Ryan, Pat, Lena, Mimi, Carl, and Anthony. He also enjoyed spending time with his neighbors, Kathleen and Carl, and his other friends in town. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Sr., mother, Martha, and brother, Anthony Jr.
Joe was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, cars, photography, reading, hunting, archery, mega stuf oreos, triscuits, and birdwatching. He introduced his nieces and nephews to the outdoors at early ages, and they still use his original camping equipment and hand-tied flies to this day. He was a collector of antiques, local artwork, and anything related to Buffalo Bill. His collection and legacy continues with his nieces and nephews.
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