OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Every seat was filled for the second meeting in as many months in Portland due to public objection to a data center inquiry in the town.

PORTLAND — Certain topics can take just the smallest spark and turn it into an inferno. That’s the case in Portland following a resolution passed by the Town Board on March 11 that expressed “general support” of a potential data center project at the Sugar Hill Golf Course.

The Board’s “general support” of the idea was met with overwhelming criticism from the residents of Portland and several surrounding communities.

At the second Town Board meeting in as many months, the often-empty seats in the Portland Town Hall were filled. Guests lined the walls as more than 50 people created a standing-room-only environment in opposition of a data center being established in Portland. More than 45 minutes worth of public comments were heard in April, and the recent meeting in May had another 35 minutes of discussion on the matter. Not a single comment from the audience expressed even the slightest bit of support for the idea.

One guest from a neighboring community asked, “If every person in your town is telling you they don’t want that, why would you even consider it?”

The Town Board took its stance with the thought that a project of its size could bring significant financial benefit to the town, which is roughly 50% tax exempt due to sites such as Lake Erie State Park and the Lakeview Shock Correctional Facility. The Board previously objected to an inquiry from New York state with an eye on Sugar Hill becoming a park.

Town of Portland Supervisor Rich Lewis listens to public comments during the latest Town Board meeting.

“The ‘initial OK’ was not an OK. It was saying that the Town would be open to looking into what they are interested in doing,” Town Supervisor Rich Lewis said in response to a guest who asked why the Town Board would even issue a resolution expressing its support of the idea.

Board member Tammy Thompson explained her stance on the process, stating, “If you have a project … that could be a benefit to our community, I want to know about it. But if it doesn’t work, then that’s what this process is about. It’s about eliminating the things that are not good, and approving and watching for the things that are a benefit to us. The initial ‘opening of the door’ is, ‘Tell us your idea and can we even walk through the paces?’ Right now, there are no paces.”

The Town Board’s official statement on the matter, which was read aloud by Thompson at the April meeting, stated, “The Town Board encourages responsible development that strengthens the local tax base. A stronger tax base benefits all taxpayers in the community.”

Telling that to the community has not gone over well. In April, several residents said they would have rather paid higher taxes for another park in town than even entertaining the thought of a data center in Portland.

One resident, Kelly Perlette organized a petition online through change.org against a data center in Portland. Less than a week after the meeting, more than 2,000 people signed the petition. It is now over 3,100 signatures.

Many members of the community objected to a data center for a variety of reasons. Among the concerns raised by the public were the energy and water costs to support the facility, the emissions produced and its proximity to Lake Erie, disturbance to the surrounding environment, safety concerns for nearby residents, and the lack of clear guidance from the state level regarding such facilities.

Several community members even formed a group, called the Grape Belt Community Group, and held a meeting in the Brocton Central School auditorium in opposition of data centers. Members of the newly formed group came to the meeting with a prepared statement, asking for a moratorium on data centers.

Town Attorney Joel Seachrist responded to several speakers at the recent meeting to explain why any sort of moratorium is not necessary at this time. In the Town of Portland Zoning Laws, data centers are not a permitted use of land in any district. The laws would need to be amended before a data center project could proceed.

Not only that, but there would also need to be a special use permit issued, a public hearing held on the site plans, and a recommendation from the Planning Board. None of that has happened. There has not even been a proposal made to the Town Board or the Planning Board.

So far, all that has happened is one phone call from the owner of 7060 Route 5 in Portland, the former Sugar Hill Golf Course, to Lewis, centered around the idea of a data center. From there, the Town Board issued a vague resolution that stated the Town would support a project if “all applicable laws and regulations” were followed.

“At this point, it’s not an issue because nothing is happening,” Lewis said of the potential of a data center project at the site. Lewis highlighted that any meeting regarding a proposed project – whether it be the Town Board or Planning Board meetings – are open to the public.

Even though nothing is moving forward as of now, residents still took exception to the Town Board’s initial interest in the project. Several guests criticized the Town Board for even entertaining the idea, with one guest shouting that the Town Board can be “bought”. Another comment shortly after claimed, “If they have enough money to throw at you, you’re more likely to say yes.”

Thompson further explained why the Board considered the idea in the first place. She said, “We had an opportunity for a company who might want to invest in Portland. Some of y’all are from outside of the area. We don’t get many of those opportunities. We are supposed to at least look at it.”

One resident said, “It seems like there is just an incredible miscommunication that’s happening here.” The resident also said that misinformation online has fueled the fear of those who oppose a potential project.

When asked if the public would be alerted of any proposal, Lewis stated, “Absolutely. There’s no secrets.”