Waterville City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on new data center construction within the city limits on Monday night.

The length of time is half of the 12-month moratorium proposed by Councilman Wayne Wagner but longer than the 90 to 120 days that Mayor Tim Pedro offered as an alternative. Just before the final vote, the mayor said he’s fine with six months if that was what the council wanted.

The council chamber was once again packed to capacity, as it was during the board’s Nov. 24 meeting when the vote had been expected. Those who attended appeared largely agreeable to the shortened length of time.

“No one in this room can predict the future,” Mayor Pedro said, moments after saying he didn’t think a moratorium was necessary at all. “We’ve lived tough through the

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