Ross Township supervisors Chairman James Zahoroiko voiced concerns this week about the impact of data centers and solar farms in the township.

His remarks highlighted the challenges the developments pose, including environmental and infrastructural issues.

“Data centers have a large footprint and demand substantial amounts of space, water and electricity,” Zahoroiko stated. “These facilities can complicate the local infrastructure by potentially overloading roads and power grids, leading to instability in the local electric system.

“I don’t think Ross Township is able to handle this.”

Zahoroiko addressed the need for ordinances governing solar farms.

He pointed out that the farms could be in wooded areas, displacing wildlife and raising fire safety concerns.

“If a solar farm is fenced in, wildlife will have to relocate, and our fire department will need retraining to manage solar-related fire incidents,” he said.

In addition to discussions about energy developments, Vice Chairman David Shay provided an update on the project to demolish the fire-damaged house on Pine Cone Court.

The township has received approval for a grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Monroe County to proceed with the demolition proposal.

“We will need to enter into a cooperation agreement with the redevelopment authority and comply with several requirements, including before-and-after photos and obtaining three demolition proposals,” according to Shay.

Zahoroiko asked about the management of hazardous materials during the demolition process.

Shay said that no hazardous materials would be involved, as only the above-ground structure would be removed.

“We are not allowed to touch the vehicles that are on the property,” he said, emphasizing that the focus remained on handling the unsafe structure.

The meeting also addressed the issue of the abandoned vehicles on the site, prompting Zahoroiko to question any plans for their removal.

Shay confirmed that the only focus would be on the unsafe structure, but attention to safety, including the removal of hazardous waste, was reiterated.

The supervisors voted to enter a property cooperative agreement with the redevelopment authority. The agreement will facilitate the necessary funding of $10,000 for the demolition project, with reimbursement expected once all documentation is provided.