The Clay Town Board voted 6-0 on June 1 to schedule a public hearing on a proposed temporary moratorium that would block new zone changes and special permits for large-scale data centers, artificial intelligence computing facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations and similar high-intensity computing uses in the town. The hearing on Local Law No. 6 of 2026, moved by Deputy Supervisor Joseph Bick and seconded by Councilor Eugene Young, is set for June 15 at 8:02 p.m. The moratorium could remain in effect for up to 12 months from adoption while the town studies the issue and considers a permanent law governing such applications. The measure covers a category of development that has drawn increasing scrutiny in a town already navigating rapid industrial growth, though the June 1 minutes do not record further board discussion of the item beyond the resolution itself. The board also moved toward wrapping up a much longer-running debate over battery storage. Local Law No. 5 of 2026 would create a new Town Code chapter, Chapter 209, regulating battery energy storage systems, and has been discussed at Town Board meetings on April 20, May 4, May 16 and May 18. Bick said no new revisions had been made since the fifth draft was posted to the town website, and after hearing further comment he said he would close the hearing, with the exception of outstanding comments expected from local fire departments and from Niagara Mohawk. Developer representatives continued to press for changes to that draft. Lauren Hall of Carson Power thanked the board and said she hopes to submit an application soon. Olivia Sproviero of NexAmp asked that the special permit validity period be extended from 12 to 24 months, saying the shorter window is too restrictive, and asked the board to revise noise-study and secondary-containment rules. Sara Yoon of Aurora Renewables asked that developers get state wetlands approval before receiving building permits rather than before any local approval; a letter submitted for the record by Aurora's attorney, Henry Zomerfeld of Hodgson Russ, argued that restricting large battery projects to industrial districts unless paired with a solar farm lacks a rational basis, and that requiring wetlands approval before any local approval, rather than before construction begins, would create needless delay. Other speakers offered mixed views. Jim Hickey thanked the board for protecting the town, while Ralph Turner objected to any exclusion for wetlands. Councilor David Capria said the board had done its due diligence, including a three-hour work session on a Saturday. Resident Janet Rathburn asked how many storage sites could go in one spot and about industrial districts that abut residential areas; Bick said the law only provides a framework and applications will be reviewed case by case, and that a substation is capped at 10 megawatts. Mike Banks, a Cicero resident, described delays his own project faced waiting on Niagara Mohawk substation upgrades; Sproviero said NexAmp covers those costs, and Banks said the sites in question run about 5 megawatts. In other business, the board voted 6-0 to approve a zone change for Town Board Case #1250, Lands of Nelson Amended, converting .73 acres at 3687 State Route 31 from NC-1 Neighborhood Commercial to HC-1 Highway Commercial District. The change, following a favorable Planning Board referral after a May 27 public hearing, will allow West Herr to expand an existing parking lot to hold additional vehicle inventory. The board held a public hearing on a special permit sought by AT&T Mobility (Case #1257) to build a 110-foot monopole with 12 antenna arrays, plus equipment cabinets and a generator, on 3.61 acres at 7200 Henry Clay Blvd, behind the Moyers Corners Fire Department. Mark Fuentes of Airosmith Development, representing the applicant, said the company had contacted OCWA about placing the tower atop a nearby water tower but was told that was not an option; the fire department, which owns the land, would instead receive a lease fee, and AT&T would lease tower space to other carriers. Councilor Young said he did not see a need for the tower, citing no known reception problems, while Councilor Courtney Gauthier asked about tower height, noise and a decommissioning plan, which Commissioner of Planning and Development Brian Bender said the board can require. Resident Beverly Gibbs asked whether trees would be cleared and how wildlife would be affected; Fuentes said trees would only come down for an access road. Councilor Ryan Russell asked how many residents the tower would help; Fuentes said he had worked on the project for four years but did not know how many would benefit. Resident Ralph Turner asked whether the project would create any jobs; Fuentes said no jobs would be created. The board voted 6-0 to adjourn the hearing to July 20 at 7:35 p.m. and referred the application to the Planning Board. The board also set five additional public hearings for June 15, back-to-back starting at 7:47 p.m.: a special permit for CNY Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine to operate a medical office at 5232 Witz Drive, and separate petitions to establish the Michael's Farm lighting, drainage, sewer and water districts. All five scheduling resolutions passed 6-0. The board also voted 6-0 to approve a $2,500 agreement with Pracademic Partners, run by Dr. Ian M. Cole, for two employee training sessions on customer service and practical problem-solving, and approved the minutes of its May 18 meeting, 6-0. Supervisor Damian Ulatowski was absent; Deputy Supervisor Bick presided, and the meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.