On the agenda: Starksboro Minutes — data center (Jul 16)

Town of Starksboro
Planning Commission
Minutes (APPROVED)
July 16, 2026
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Members Present: Dennis Casey, Luke McCarthy, Dan Nugent, David Schmidt
Members Unable to Attend: Dan Kuzio
Others Present: None
Visitors: None
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Meeting called to order by Chair Dennis Casey at 6:36pm
Visitors Business: None
PC Current Business:
1. Approve any outstanding minutes
MOTION: D. Schmidt moves to accept the minutes of June 4th and June 18th. D. Nugent seconds.
VOTE: All in favor
2.

Selectboard comments on draft bylaw changes (if any)
a. The Selectboard did discuss the river corridor / flood hazard overlay and there was some concern
about infringing on property owners’ rights, but they are generally on board with passing them.
b. There was a discussion about the Selectboard not needing anything else from the Planning
Commission to adopt these. They can follow their own process of adoption separate from the
overall bylaw adoption. D. Schmidt to discuss the adoption process at the next Selectboard
meeting.
c. It was unclear if the Selectboard received the draft bylaws. While the Zoning Administrator sent
them to the Town Administrator, the TA was on leave during that time and it does not appear
they were forward to the SB. Need to rectify.

3. Town plan revision
a. L. McCarthy has been attending Energy Committee meetings and they are starting the process of
reviewing the energy section. Beginning to review maps and discuss substantial deference. Also
recommended including language about data centers in the plan.
b. Suggestion was made to have someone familiar with substantial deference come and speak to the
Planning Commission.
c. Comment was made that PC needs to stay in touch with the Conservation Commission.
d. General discussion about need to update charts, graphs, and other tables. ACRPC should have
most of the information but need to go through Town Plan and identify sources of current charts.
e. Still not clear is we can make updates to a word document of if we will need different technology
to edit the document.
4. PC Roundtable
a. Need to reschedule with ACRPC. August 20 is the next available date given warning timeframe.
D. Schmidt to confirm with ACRPC.
b. Update on Jerusalem project. There is concern about the well and current pump setup. Right
now, there is a jet pump on the surface. Contractor said they could reuse all equipment but it is
unclear how that will work moving forward.

c. Lexi Thompson sent in some documents and proposed policies for the next round of bylaw
rewrites. Documents were passed around during the meeting. PC will need some time to review
prior to discussion.
MOTION: D. Nugent moves to adjourn. D. Schmidt seconds.
VOTE: All in favor
Meeting adjourned at 7:47

Tentative Next Agenda:
1. Visitors Business
2. Minutes
3. Town Plan Review
4. Roundtable
Minutes submitted by L. McCarthy