SHERBURNE — The Sherburne Fire Department was packed with local residents for Wednesday’s public hearing to extend the moratorium on battery energy storage systems.

Two representatives from the clean energy company NexAmp were in attendance, and the crowd made their questions and concerns known.

The public hearing was called to order at 7:28 p.m. Town of Sherburne Supervisor Charles Mastro explained that the purpose of the public hearing was to extend a previously passed moratorium on battery storage systems for an additional six months.

The town is working to pass a battery storage law that would protect town residents and their interests if NexAmp goes forward with its $60 million project to install a battery storage facility on Knapp Road in Sherburne.

NexAmp Energy Storage Business Development Manager Michael DeAngelo and Dan Murray of Energy Safety Response Group attended the meeting to answer questions from the public and outline the proposed plan.

Originally, NexAmp had proposed building a 13-unit battery storage facility on Knapp Road. Wednesday night, DeAngelo said the plan is now for 26 units. The 40-megawatt facility would be larger than any the company currently has in operation, however DeAngelo said larger ones have been proposed in other areas.

Residents questioned the safety of the facility, citing reports that toxic fumes are released if the structures catch fire, something that has happened in other locations. DeAngelo said the fumes are no different than a house fire.