On the agenda: Littleton meeting — Data Center (Jun 16)

LITTLETON PLANNING BOARD
LITTLETON COMMUNITY CENTER
120 MAIN STREET - LITTLETON NH 03561
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026 - 5:30 PM
APPROVED ON JULY 21, 2026
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tony J. Ilacqua, Vice Chair Calvin Beaulier, Bruce Ralston, Kevin Kihslinger,
Ray Bowler (alternate), and Planning & Zoning Administrator Joanna Ray
EXCUSED: Ex-Officio Taylor Caswell and Lloyd Thomas
OTHERS: Shemariah Nelson and Lori Hogan
Chair Ilacqua called the meeting to order at 5:30pm and designated R. Bowler as a voting member.
Chair Ilacqua and Vice Chair Beaulier signed mylars for PB26-03 and PB26-04 that were approved at their May 19th
meeting.
L. Hogan, Littleton Water & Light CEO and Treasurer, spoke about galvanized water lines needing to be replaced.
NHDES is requiring it and they are encouraging ordinances that prohibit the sale of property where the line has not
been replaced. In 2027, NHDES will start issuing fines and all galvanized lines must be replaced by 2037 or the line
will be disconnected from the water system. L. Hogan added that LW&L has identified 40 properties that have
galvanized lines. She added that where the line connects can be challenging and there are programs to help with the
cost. An informational meeting will be scheduled and property owners will be contacted.
L. Hogan handed the Board a printout regarding Data Centers titled “Water Risk Exposure Shifts From Cooling to
Power Generation”. She informed the Board that there has been some interest in the Industrial Park for a 5-megawatt
capacity facility. There is as much of an impact on water as there is on electricity. Water will be needed for cooling, but
also to generate more power. The need could be hundreds of millions of gallons and rates could potentially increase.
Also, the current infrastructure cannot handle that load. Chair Ilacqua asked who would be responsible for upgrades.
L. Hogan replied that she would require an analysis to see the infrastructure impact and perhaps some impact fees.
She has been talking with Chad at LIDC to see parameters on what the system can handle.
C. Beaulier asked about the water usage and what the amount would be for a data center. L. Hogan discussed the
need to use generators such as the Seabrook size generator. This will impact everyone. C. Beaulier stated that a large
data center would need to comply with State and Federal regulations. They would also qualify as a regional impact
project. There’s an opportunity for impact fees. L. Hogan added that the interest is in NH and local boards need to be
aware.
C. Beaulier noted that there was proposed legislation regarding data centers, but they were recently tabled 300-11.
Chair Ilacqua noted that this gives the residents something to vote on, but L. Hogan added that towns may be forced
to allow them.
J. Ray offered to research how data centers are being written into Zoning Ordinances and see where they are
prohibited. C. Beaulier added that impacts versus uses need to be considered with ordinance changes. A definition is
also needed. Limiting the impact was also suggested.
C. Beaulier asked about battery storage facilities. L. Hogan replied that she is still looking into them to stabilize rates.
An isolated area was suggested due to property owners not wanting to live near them.
R. Bowler asked if there needs to be discussion regarding the clarification of a warrant article. J. Ray offered to prepare
the corrected wording for March 2027. Public meetings will be held to discuss this.
The Planning Board’s next meeting will be July 21, 2026
At 6:08pm, C. Beaulier made a motion to adjourn. B. Ralston seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Submitted by,
Joanna Ray

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