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Hughesville Borough Council at its recent meeting briefly discussed passing an ordinance regulating data centers in the community.
Attorney Zachary DuGan told council an important aspect of an ordinance would stipulate the type of zoning districts where a data center could be located.
"You could pick two different districts," he said. "If you pick a zoning district, it means others (districts) are prohibited."
The ordinance could also outline provisions for a facility regarding noise levels, environmental issues, and buffering zones.
"It's good to have something on the books," DuGan advised borough officials.
He said an ordinance could not be passed prohibiting a data center in the community.
Borough officials did not reveal whether any company is looking to operate a data center in Hughesville.
Data centers are either being constructed or proposed in states across the U.S. including in the local area.
In Muncy Township, three data center buildings of roughly 699,574-square-feet are being proposed along John Brady Drive near Yetter Road.
A data center campus being planned by PNK Group just north of Allenwood in Union County awaits approval from Gregg Township supervisors.
Data centers are defined as facilities housing large groups of networked computer servers, storage systems, and supporting infrastructure for processing and sharing digital data and applications.
Kelly Sprout told council he has safety concerns walking borough streets.
Sprout, who is blind, said sidewalks in some parts of Hughesville remain in disrepair.
"I'm still tripping on a lot of cracks," he said.
In the winter, he said he encounters sidewalks that have not been cleared of snow or ice.
He suggested that salt and cinders be placed on sidewalks.
"I don't want to end up in the hospital," he said.
DuGan advised council he is working on drawing up a new franchise agreement between the borough and Comcast.
In other matters, council agreed to finish interior work at the borough garage and voted to have Herring Roll & Solomon do the borough's 2026 audit.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 at the municipal building.