Oakham, MASS-- From residents to town leaders, many people who call Oakham home are against building a battery storage plant in their community.

“My job here in town is to look after the wellbeing of all citizens,” Oakham Fire Chief Timothy Howe said. “Currently, with this technology, it’s really untested.”

The town’s bylaw restricts stand-alone battery energy storage systems, but in April Moraga Storage LLC filed a petition with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for an exemption to build a battery energy storage system on Coldbrook Road.

“I was voter when we voted for our new bylaws in 2022,” resident Michelle Bertrand said. “To turn around and say my vote does not count because Boston or Maura Healey or anyone else can overtake us and they’re not listening to our bylaws. That was the kick.”

One of the town’s biggest concerns is the risk of the plant catching fire.  The company’s petition states the project adheres to national and local safety standards and includes safeguards to minimize the risk of fire and thermal events. However, Chief Howe said the department doesn’t’ have the resources if something goes wrong.  

“This park has over 250 battery containers. They say if one burns it shouldn’t spread to the others,  we just have to keep the others cool,” Chief Howe said. “The problem is, we don’t have any municipal water so we can’t keep the surrounding area cool if need be. Everything we do in this town we use tankers.”

More than 30% of the town is protected state land and Chief Howe said the battery plant would be in close proximity to the watershed.  The petition said the project was sited and designed to avoid or minimize impacts to environmental resources.  

“The Quabbin River provides drinking water to three million people in the metro-Boston area and we are crucial out here to protect that watershed,” he said. “All of the water that runs that way eventually feeds the Ware River and can potentially feed into the Quabbin.”

While the petition states the park adheres to noise policy requirements, those who live nearby said they’re worried about disruptions in their neighborhood.

“I’ve lived out here all my life and one of those reasons is peace and quiet,” resident Erik Baldwin said. “I don’t need to have constant noise behind me.”

Advocates for the Conversation of Oakham’s Rural Nature & Safety, or ACORNS, is leading the fight against the project as well. Roughly 42% of the town’s registered voters have signed a petition to stop the project. Those against it said they’re hoping the state rejects the exemption and protects the town’s resources, water and residents. 

“I started this petition because I want this small town, to stay a small town,” Bertrand said. 

“This isn’t a major sporting event. This is an event that could drastically affect the residents in this town,” Baldwin said. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the state's Energy Facilities Siting Board said the proposal is going through EFSB review, which includes a public process and ensures the project is consistent with environmental laws. Spectrum News 1 reached out to Moraga Storage LLC but have no heard back yet.