SOUTHINGTON — As more and more communities approve moratoriums on data centers to allow more time to address them and their effects on the community, Southington officials are preparing to do that as well.

Trustee Chuck Vanek, who suggested a moratorium at a recent meeting, said the township zoning board is looking into what other communities have done and how their moratorium legislation was prepared.

“This will help provide the township with a direction to go with preparing a moratorium. We want to be safe and prepare the township,” Vanek said, noting there would be a public hearing on the issue to get citizen input.

Vanek said Southington has few industrial zoned areas, which is what would be needed for a data center.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

In other business, officials have said the fire department is doing better with two people on staff.

Fire Chief Scott Bower said the volunteer fire department has had part-time staff working with the Farmington Fire Department. He said Farmington assisted Southington to get the part-time staff program running in August 2024. There are two people on staff 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Bower said the only change this year is the staff are employed by Southington, while in the past few years the department was staffed with Farmington firefighters.

“This helped us get up and on our feet. We modeled our program like Farmington does with its fire department,” Bower said.

He said the township does have a contract with Champion to provide fire and emergency medical service when Southington does not have anyone on staff and after 8 p.m. when Southington is strictly volunteer.

Bower said half of the department’s part-time staff comes from the volunteer ranks. He said the department has more than 13 part-time firefighters who help cover the shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Having people at the station helps cut down on response times. Whether it’s a fire or a medical emergency, we can get a truck out the door quicker,” Bower said.

The department had 595 calls for 2025, which was less than 2024. Bower said calls have been increasing in the past decade with 80% of the calls being EMS.

He said the department does provide mutual aid when able to neighboring townships.

He said the department was able to secure a $14,600 Bureau of Workers’ Compensation grant that will be used for turnout gear for firefighters.

Bower said American Rescue Plan funds have been used for septic replacement at the grassy area next to the fire station.

Trustee Chairwoman Cindy Speaker said with more staff, the fire department has improved its call response time. She said previously the township was paying Farmington to provide staff for Southington’s fire department.

“We are fortunate to be able now to staff our fire department with our own part-time staff 12 hours a day with Chief Bower doing the scheduling,” Speaker said.

Also, trustees reported at past meetings the concrete around a 1958 veterans war monument at the cemetery has been improved at Pinecrest Cemetery. Resident Tom Strock has been at past meetings discussing the need for repairs to the concrete around the monument.

In other business at the June meeting, trustees:

• Approved the purchase of a pumper tank truck at $507,000. Officials have reviewed financing and made plans to sell another engine.

• Approved having the Southington Community Trust sell brick pavers as a fundraiser. Resident Don Strock said the pavers can be placed at the township center park by the gazebo to honor or remember someone. The township was settled and established in 1805. The pavers will be available from trust members • Heard from Vanek that local nonprofits will be planning road side cleanups in late September.

• Announced the Back to School event will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8 at the township center.