Sutton residents weigh data center tax cuts against noise and power concerns
A proposed 10-building campus promises to lower local property taxes but faces questions about infrastructure strain.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Property owners in Sutton, Massachusetts, could see their annual tax bills drop by roughly $5,800 by fiscal year 2035 if a massive data center campus moves forward. The town estimates this financial relief would come from a development associated with the Kraft Group and Unified Global Packaging Group. However, local residents voiced strong opposition to the plan during a public meeting on Tuesday.
The proposal involves constructing ten buildings along Boston and Providence roads. Each structure would measure approximately 250,000 square feet, creating a total footprint of about 2.5 million square feet. This scale is comparable to 43 football fields. Town officials project the project represents a $16.75 billion investment and would require 900 megawatts of electricity at full capacity.
The financial model suggests the first two buildings would generate $10.4 million in annual property tax revenue by fiscal year 2031. Once all ten structures are assessed, annual revenue could reach $27.8 million by fiscal year 2035. This income is projected to offset a structural budget deficit that the town expects to grow to $9.1 million by fiscal year 2033.
Despite the projected savings, neighbors raised concerns about noise levels, water usage, and electricity demand. They also questioned the impact of traffic and the cost of municipal services. The town’s preliminary review lists water supply, wastewater, lighting, and emergency response as areas requiring further technical study.
Jonathan Anderson, chair of the Sutton Select Board, told attendees that the process is in its early stages. "This is just the very, very beginning of this," Anderson said. No final approval has been granted yet. Officials expect additional negotiations regarding zoning regulations and a community benefits agreement.
A zoning change would require a hearing before the Planning Board followed by a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting. Mario Giamie, a longtime resident, expressed his determination to challenge the plan. "I have a 3-year-old grandson," Giamie told NBC10 Boston. "And I'm not going to subject him to this if I can fight it, and I will fight it."
