LINDEN — With data centers taking over the news statewide recently, the Woodward Township Board of Supervisors are concerned the issue could come to Linden and action needs to be taken.

According to board Chairman Jeffrey Stroehmann, several communities in Pennsylvania are dealing with data centers, and developers often are backed with millions of dollars from investors. The centers could show up in any small rural town, pick a spot, and build — and it may or may not be a detriment to the community.

Stroehmann said that small towns and boroughs with budgets of just tens of thousands of dollars would have to figure out a way to prevent the centers from changing the overall feel and aesthetic of the community.

While there are boroughs in the state that would welcome the industry, Stroehmann said, many in Lycoming County will cast a weary eye.

Stroehmann said that if something is not done, then these center developers could “come in and get their application in tomorrow — we’re done.”

Stroehmann’s answer is a “curative amendment (that) would protect the township.”

This process “initiates a 180�’day grace period to enact a curative amendment” that will “shield the town from competing land�’owner challenges.”

In that 180�’day period, it would allow the town to take action to address specific issues that are not mentioned in the zoning municipality code (i.e., data centers). However, once the curative amendment has been used, it cannot be used again for 36 months.

Borough Zoning Officer Joe Lyons, of Codes Assessment Professionals, recommended that before anything can be done, it would be best to have the wording of the curative amendment reviewed by the new township lawyer.

“What I would ask for tonight is to ask the supervisors to consider… that we at least come to an agreement to put the attorney and Joe on drafting a curative amendment as soon as possible so that we can get it into effect,” Stroehmann said.

Stroehmann said it will save the residents of the town.

“It puts a defense shield up for the residents in the township so we’re not going to have to deal with the bullying of these very aggressive data center developers,” he said.

Vice Chairman Craig Grove made a motion to support the action, and Supervisor Wayne Robinson seconded the motion.

After the meeting, Stroehmann said that almost 20 communities in the county have put themselves under the umbrella of Lycoming County’s recent curative amendment; however, Woodward Township has its own zoning board for such things.

He said the county’s recent stance has bolstered his confidence that this is the right way to go for Woodward Township.

“In our charter, it says we are a farming community and our goal is to do what is best for the health, safety and welfare of the town,” he said. Stroehmann said that if an AI data center comes in, they will have to conform to Woodward Township standards and not the other way around.

In other news, besides being a farming community, Woodward Township is also a seasonal vacation spot. The agenda noted that more than 235 seasonal permits for the town were granted.

At the meeting, it was noted the Sheetz on Route 220 will be undergoing redesigns.

“They will be redoing the interior,” Lyons said. “The plans had been submitted.”

Stroehmann asked if the Sheetz would shut down during the reconstruction.

“I do not believe so,” Lyons said. “They’re not moving any gas pumps or anything like that. They’re putting up new awnings … It’s going to look very nice.”

Also during the meeting, Grove made the motion to approve payment of routine bills, of which a six-month health insurance bill of about $8,240 and payroll of about $4,270 were the largest. Robinson seconded it.

Finally, Stroehmann said the June 17 meeting will be the last Wednesday night meeting, after which supervisor meetings will switch to the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. The meeting dates for the rest of 2026 are July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.