Sturbridge Finance Committee Recommends Battery Storage Moratorium

Finance Committee · Meeting of March 12, 2026

Sturbridge Finance Committee backs battery storage moratorium and rate hikes ahead of town meeting. The panel voted 6-0-1 to recommend a temporary moratorium on new battery energy storage permits, racing a state law that lets developers bypass local zoning if towns don't adopt siting rules by October 1. Members approved a first-ever three-year contract for the finance director, including a 4.1 percent raise, calling it a succession plan after "32 years" of service.

Water rates will rise 7.7 percent and sewer rates 10.6 percent, funding a $1,555,000 wastewater screen replacement and a new Route 20 pump station design. The committee also funded $13,871.37 to replace a police Tahoe's blown engine and is drawing free cash from $7,241,664.85 toward roughly $4.09 million across more than 30 warrant articles.

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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of March 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.