PERU — Peru voters will decide in November on a proposed 180-day moratorium on the development and permitting of data centers.

The purpose is to allow the Select Board and the planning board adequate time to study the impact of data processing facilities on local water use, electrical grid capacity, noise levels, and environmental and government resources.

Select Board Chair Gail Belyea said that as of Sept. 15, no one has proposed building a data center in the town.

If passed Nov. 3, the moratorium would be effective immediately. This will not apply to routine upgrades to existing telecommunication facilities.

Also in November, residents will vote on a food sovereignty ordinance. This ordinance is enacted pursuant to the town’s home rule authority under the Maine Constitution.

The purpose of this ordinance is to:

• Promote local food production and consumption

• Support small-scale agriculture and home-based food production

• Encourage community self-reliance

• Strengthen direct relationships between producers and consumers

According to the town, local food systems contribute to public health and economic resilience; residents benefit from the ability to obtain food from known, trusted local sources; and small producers play a valuable role in the local economy.

The ordinance would not apply to restaurants, retail food establishments, or grocery stores; wholesale or interstate commerce; any activity requiring a state or federal license until applicable law.

Producers selling food under the ordinance would have to tell consumers that the product may not have been inspected by the state and is being sold direct from producer to consumer.

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