WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=NLmrM6shnco

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:45.480
Heat. Heat. I said you're coming in already a very long week. >> I was listening to Britney Spears. I thought it was kind of funny. >> No, that's Miley Cyrus.

2
00:00:49.200 --> 00:01:12.159
>> All right. They lose. >> Did you sign it? >> All right. >> Starting at six. We have uh 101. We should have started. So, let's roll. >> Excuse me everybody. Excuse me. Listen up please. We're going

3
00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:27.040
to be starting in a second. I'm chief police. I'm asking everybody to please put your cell phones on vibrator and turn them off. >> As you approach the podium, speak when it's the session's open. All right. Requesting everybody please be quiet. I understand you want to cheer and hear

4
00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:41.759
things from that person, but you're talking in the background. You're taking away from the person who's speaking at the podium because your voices are going to be uh taking over what the person's trying to say. So, please cooperate with us. Everybody will have an opportunity to speak and just work with me and work

5
00:01:41.759 --> 00:02:09.119
with you. fingers. >> Ready? I have I have a good idea. >> Are we rolling? >> This meeting is being held in accordance with public law 1975, chapter 231. An adequate notice of this meeting has been

6
00:02:09.119 --> 00:02:25.120
provided by a notice sent to the star ledger local source and posted in the main lobby of the municipal building and on the municipal website. Accordingly, the notice requirements of the open public meetings act have been satisfied in regards to this meeting. Please stand

7
00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:45.040
for the salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call.

8
00:02:45.040 --> 00:02:59.599
>> Mayor Carlo >> here. >> Councilman Bole here. >> Councilman Finestella >> here. >> Councilwoman Jer Perno >> here. >> Councilman Morrow >> here. Councilman Piper is present. Councilman Scur. >> Okay. I'd like a motion to approve the

9
00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:17.440
minutes of May 6, 2026, May 20th, 2026, and the executive session for May 20th, 2026. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Councilman Bole, seconded by Councilwoman Gordano Presserno. Roll call. >> Councilman Bole.

10
00:03:17.440 --> 00:03:33.040
>> Yes. >> Councilman Finella, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gardano Perno, >> yes. Councilman Mororrow. >> Yes. >> Councilman Scarice. >> Yes. >> And Councilman Piper. We'll be right back. >> Okay. Um I'd like to move on to the finance report. Councilman finished up. >> Oh, that tomorrow.

11
00:03:33.040 --> 00:03:48.720
>> I'm sorry. Mara. Oh my god. It's okay. >> Light report tonight. Mayor, uh the finance committee had met with uh Ken and a couple of department heads and Laura uh last week, I believe it was already. Um, we're working through the capital budget and uh, it's not done

12
00:03:48.720 --> 00:04:05.519
just yet, but we're closing in on it. I think by the next meeting or two, we we should have something for the rest of the council. >> Okay, >> that's it for me tonight. >> Thank you, Councilman. Department of Public Works, Councilman Bole, >> thank you. Uh, during May 2026, the

13
00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:21.840
department incurred the following time off. 160 short-term disability hours, 120 sick hours, 24 on the job injury hours, 152 vacation hours, and 70 personal hours. During May 2026, the department incurred 228.5

14
00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:37.680
hours of overtime, most of which was related to the annual street fair. And the next open Saturday for recycling drop off will be on June 13th until noon. And the next freeb drop drop off will be June 19th. That's it.

15
00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:52.320
Thank you, Councilman. Department of Public Safety, Councilman Veneella. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Uh the report took me a second. The >> the uh May report uh is as follows. Uh the kind of what the police department

16
00:04:52.320 --> 00:05:08.639
responded to, 1459 calls for service, 225 911 calls. There were 145 overtime hours for the month. And the breakdown is as follows. 24 hours of scheduled patrol overtime, 27 hours of dispatch

17
00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:23.600
overtime, 2 and 1/2 hours of patrol invest, 21 and 1/2 hours of SWAT call out, 2 minutes of court, 8 hours of arrive, and 60 hours special detail. Kennleton Police Department completed

18
00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:41.600
264 hours of training, issued 166 traffic summones, made 12 arrests for the month. Uh there was one sick day and one sick occurrence and zero on the job injuries. Conro police received 67 flock hot list

19
00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:57.600
alerts from the stationary cameras throughout the burrow. Message from the chief. Conor police department's weekly bladder report which is posted on social media has been very well received by the burough residents. Please continue to follow police Facebook page for current

20
00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:14.000
arrests notifications and etc. Please notify Kennorth Police Department to report a complaint or nuisance. We can't help if we don't know about it. Um, and the only other thing uh this Saturday is the fishing derby at Blackbrook Park. I believe that starts at 8.

21
00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:29.840
>> Starts at 8:00. >> Yep. And that's all I have there. >> Thank you, council. >> Polls in at 8. You better be there before 7:45. >> All right. Planning and zoning. Councilman Scurice. Thank you, Mayor.

22
00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:46.880
Um application for 252 Boulevard subdivision. Um compliance documents were not complete. Also um pending GC residence 214 North 15th Street trying to convert a one family to two family. Um

23
00:06:46.880 --> 00:07:03.360
that'll be coming before the planning board later this month. Um the month of May we had 21 uh building construction permits applied for uh 48 permits issued in May and

24
00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:19.440
15 received and 14 were issued uh applications for uh zoning complaints 25 North Street failure to comply with grading notice of violation issue 33 Wilshshire sales

25
00:07:19.440 --> 00:07:38.800
notice of violation issue Enforcement complaints 208 North 16 property maintenance notice of violation issued 577 to say high grass door knockoff was left 575 North Avenue property maintenance high grass again door knock offer left

26
00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:54.479
210 North 10th branches fall neighbor's property and door offer left um residents kindly remind um that you do need a permit for dumpsters in the burrow of application can be found on the burough website under applications and forms in

27
00:07:54.479 --> 00:08:09.759
the building department section and as report >> thank you councilman recreation and fire councilman Piper >> thank you mayor the recreation report for tonight is the summer camp registrations are open to the general

28
00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:26.160
public and will be closing on June 20th this summer's annual swim nights will be on July 15th and August 12th from 700 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Clark pole registrations are now open. The middle school soccer registrations are open and we are finalizing tryyout dates with our

29
00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:44.480
coaches. An email will be sent out to all that have registered with try out dates, times, and locations. Fire report from last month. During the month of May, the fire department responded to 34 calls. And during these incidents, the fire

30
00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:59.360
department traveled 103 miles and utilized 134 manh hours. Uh no rescue squad numbers reported this time. So during the month of May, the fire department and rescue squad completed 49 hours of training. Additional man hours utilized

31
00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:14.399
administrative 257s type in 1,32. Building maintenance 25 vehicle maintenance 18 rescue squad administrative 19. These are the total calls during the month of 34. for the miles traveled. We're 103 and the total

32
00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:30.240
man hours, 184. And that's all I have. >> Thank you, Councilman. Health, Education, and Welfare. Councilwoman Girardano Perno. >> Thank you, Mayor Mayor. Excuse me. For the library, um, tonight we will be

33
00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:45.279
appointing a new library board member. I have not met him, uh, Charles Oliva, but, uh, the director made it a point to say everybody calls him Charlie. So, I can't wait to meet Charlie. Uh, on June

34
00:09:45.279 --> 00:10:01.920
9th, the library will be se celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Uh, the activities start at 6:30 and they're for ages four and up. Tween craft night is next Friday, June

35
00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:18.160
12th, for ages 10 to 16. From 3 to 4, registration is required. And then finally on June 18th, there's a program about the principles of hiphop for ages four and up from starting at 7 pm.

36
00:10:18.160 --> 00:10:35.519
The social concerns, the historical society on June 6, Saturday, there will be a Junth celebration at the Oswell Nitski House. Um, light refreshments will be served and Madame CJ Walker will

37
00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:50.959
be um following uh presenting the program. It's $10 for adults, $5 for children. On June 9th, next Tuesday, the American Revolution in Union County at the Kennallorth Library is reiterating what

38
00:10:50.959 --> 00:11:07.200
I just said was going on at the library. And on June 11th, there will be uh a dedication of David Breley, a commemorative exhibit at David Burley Middle School High School at 6:30 p.m.

39
00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:24.240
The health department um not much to report other than they settled on the health fair on September 19th and the board of education has their next meeting on Monday, June 8th. And that's all I have. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Barrow

40
00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:44.399
engineer. >> Yeah, thank you, mayor. Uh really don't have much to report from last uh meeting. Uh we're still waiting on public service for the wiring diagrams for the boulevard. Uh we're going to start ramping up the pressure on them. Uh they say they're working on it, but

41
00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:59.760
we haven't really seen anything. Uh we're still working to schedule the restriping at the senior centers. There's been scheduling uh problems with that. So, uh, we were told this week, now we're being told next week. So, we'll follow up on that. Also, uh,

42
00:11:59.760 --> 00:12:15.920
we've, um, we reported to the county several months ago, uh, along the boulevard. There's been some drainage issues where they resurfaced. There's been some ponding at certain intersections. Um, I reported that to them. It was months ago, three, four

43
00:12:15.920 --> 00:12:33.040
months ago, maybe even longer. And, uh, they haven't responded to that. So, I'm following up with that. We want to get those addressed because um it hasn't been a problem lately. Like I said, it hasn't rained, but when there's a decent rain, some of those intersections are getting ponding. So, we're uh following up with the county on that. And we just

44
00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:49.200
reported to them recently uh another problem along Michigan Avenue and Monroe. Same problem at that intersection when they resurfaced. They didn't maintain the gutter line properly. So, we're getting ponding there. Um we reported that to them also. So, we're going to have to follow up

45
00:12:49.200 --> 00:13:05.360
with them and see what they're see what they're going to do. So, uh and that's all I have. >> And I you'll check on that walking path at Deario. >> It's in the capital budget. >> Yeah. Well, the Well, the mesh is coming up in parts of it. >> No money for fixing it. Yeah. No, that's

46
00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:21.040
all that's all. So, they have to get they have to fix that before we pay them. So, >> yeah, I know we didn't they're aware. They're aware before we pay them. >> Yeah. Okay. The >> contractor's aware of it. So, great. Okay, >> Tony, you mentioned the PSCG in the Power Boulevard. Uh, we spent a lot of

47
00:13:21.040 --> 00:13:37.519
money on decorations. It is something I think that the town is very passionate about. When's our drop dead date with PSEG that if they don't get this done, we're not having decorations across the boulevard this year. >> So, I mean, the the sidewalks once they start the sidewalks, I mean, it's going to be it'll only be a couple of weeks to

48
00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:54.000
finish the job. I mean, we have all the way to the cold weather to do the job. I mean, we want it done sooner. This has been late. We have till November because we're going to want the decoration. >> Yep. >> We wanted this >> and we want it done at the the sidewalks to get done. >> Yeah, we we wanted them to start right in the spring, but then of course this

49
00:13:54.000 --> 00:14:10.160
they came up with so we want to get that straightened out. But yeah, we're they promised us to work, you know, they're working on it. I got to put more pressure on them to see what they're doing. But yeah, we >> even though we have time, we don't want spend time. We want to >> It's almost as if they don't finish it by the if they don't start it by the end

50
00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:25.600
of the summer, there's a chance it's not going to get done in time. >> Yeah, it has to get Yeah. and the weather. >> Yeah, we want it. Yeah, we want it done now. And we don't we don't want to wait. The contract is ready to go. I mean, he's mo he mobilized as soon as we tell him. He was ready to go. We held it back because >> we needed to straighten out the pole

51
00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:41.920
situation. So, >> all right. >> All right. >> Mayor, if I could add to that, I did um if we're discussing the uh the banners across the boulevard, >> I did speak with PSENG today. Uh we have a few questions that we need to go back to for pores over as far as getting

52
00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:58.880
metered service to the banner homes. >> Okay. All right. >> That that's that just happened this afternoon. So >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'll keep you posted. >> Thank you. >> Tony, any update on the to the officers residents in the area got a notice from

53
00:14:58.880 --> 00:15:16.720
you know about it now? >> Yeah. Well, they they came back um and did some additional test pits on on Fatude, which they did get permits for that. Um so that was done, you know, with a permit and they're going to have to restore the road uh you know, repave

54
00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:31.920
and restore it back. >> Are they putting lines in underground or above ground? >> They don't know. They're they're doing exploratory work now. Um I'm not really 100% 100% sure what they're doing. They really don't have to disclose to us why they're doing the test bits. They just

55
00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:47.920
say they're doing them doing some exploratory work. So, uh, you know, once they have plans to actually do something, we'll know about it. But >> they won't tell us. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, they'll have to we'll have to know what they're doing. I mean, they're going to if they run lines either above ground or underground, they're going to have to cross throw

56
00:15:47.920 --> 00:16:04.480
rightways. And at that point, they're going to need permission from the town to do that. So right now all they have per pulled a permit for was to do a test pit in the road or two test pits in the road. That was it. They did that and then they'll restore the road. At some point if they do have plans for actual

57
00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:20.160
improvements, they'll have to notify them now. >> How big is the test bit? Looked like they had it back home. >> Yeah, it's they're like 3x3 3T by 3T. >> Okay. >> So they're not big, but they have to restore the road. I mean they have to do everything the way we want it. So >> but they did get permits for that. It

58
00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:43.040
was done correctly. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, >> Pearl. CFO. >> Thank you, Mayor. As uh Finance Chairman Mororrow mentioned, we're working on the capital budget, looking to finalize that

59
00:16:43.040 --> 00:17:00.079
shortly. And just uh the next several weeks, the estimated third quarter tax will be going in. Thank you. >> Bar attorney. >> Mayor, I have nothing for public consult. >> Okay. Is there need for executive session this evening?

60
00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:14.240
>> Not from my perspective. >> Okay. Thank you. Brow administrator. Uh, the only thing I have, mayor, is I did meet with the CFO, it's the assistant Lisa, and with the department superintendent, Greg, just to go over a

61
00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:32.160
couple of um some of our outstanding grants that we just need to tie up and finish draw downs on. We have another grant that we are looking at um a scope change for. Other than that, that's really all I have there. >> Okay. Thank you.

62
00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:46.799
Okay. Next for council consideration is the consent agenda consisting of resolutions 26-137 through 26-145. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Councilman Finestrella,

63
00:17:46.799 --> 00:18:02.720
seconded by um Councilman Marorrow. >> The other finish. >> The cons the consent agenda has been approved by one motion. All items will be reported individually in full in the minutes. Councilman Bole. >> Yes. >> Councilman Finestella. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Deirana Paserna. >> Yes. Councilman Mororrow. >> Yes.

64
00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:19.919
>> Councilman Piper, yes. >> Councilman Fice, yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. Is there any general business and general comments anyone would like to discuss? >> No. >> Okay. I'd like a motion to open the floor to the public. >> Motion. Second.

65
00:18:19.919 --> 00:18:35.919
>> Motion made by Councilman Marorrow, seconded by Councilman Piper. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. I just wanted to say um if anyone has anything to say for the good and well-being of Kennaworth, please come forward and state your name and address. I know a lot of you are here

66
00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:56.400
for the data center. If there's any Kennorth residents that has any concerns or questions other than that, if you please allow that person to come forward first. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Bob Herbert, 14 North Tall Street, and I'd

67
00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:13.440
like to say tonight uh mayor, I heard some disturbing things uh that your personal business was attacked and threatened and I feel as my mayor of Kennawward, uh

68
00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:29.440
the people, anybody that's in this audience that did that, they should be ashamed of ourselves. You guys ran, every one of you ran a campaign, got elected by the majority of the people. This is America. This is the way the system works, right? We're never always

69
00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:47.520
going to agree or or disagree, but this is our town. This is Kennwood, right? And I don't think you should be abused that way. We the people have a right to disagree with you or maybe have a dialogue and a debate and at the end we

70
00:19:47.520 --> 00:20:04.160
may not agree. might be a little upset or satisfied. But again, you and your family to be threatened, totally unacceptable. We need to be better Americans than that because at the end of the day, we're all neighbors. We're all part of the community here.

71
00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:22.799
>> So, I just wanted to say that. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, I did I did put a couple over requests in. I got one today regarding the pilot program. My I guess it wasn't it just

72
00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:39.840
said no pilot. So my question is to the attorney does it this data center did it require a pil pilot program or it didn't >> require there's there is no pilot. >> There is no pilot and there's no redevelopment agreement because it

73
00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:56.559
wasn't required or it just didn't get >> the redevelopment agreement is not yet executed. execute. >> Uh there I think is some request related to a pilot, but there's no agreement and I don't know exactly where or what

74
00:20:56.559 --> 00:21:11.760
information or to what extent they may have made any type of inquiry. Uh but the one thing that I can assure you and everyone in this room is that uh this governing body has made it abundantly clear that there will never be a pilot that does not benefit financially the

75
00:21:11.760 --> 00:21:28.400
burrow. So, uh, if you'll recall, uh, when I was first appointed, uh, there was a pilot that, uh, this governing body had questions about, and we actually, uh, found some flaws in the process and utilize that to negotiate

76
00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:44.960
even a better, uh, payment uh, than what was originally discussed. So, uh, that's certainly how I perceive my role to be here. And, uh, I don't think that there's anything inconsistent with this governing body. I know that uh they would never uh consider anything that

77
00:21:44.960 --> 00:22:02.400
doesn't financially benefit the bureau. >> Okay. Thank you. And I'm sure like I said, they don't have an easy job up there, but I know they're harder than the right place. We may not always agree. Okay. Or sometimes extreme maybe not like each other.

78
00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:26.679
>> Can I have one more minute? And it's it's all positive. Please. >> I understand that, Bob. But if we give you one more minute, we have to give everyone one more minute. But I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next. >> Anyone else?

79
00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:53.120
Second. Okay. Hi, my name is Tyler Rich. I'm 20 years old and I'm a university student um from Berkeley Heights, but speaking from the uh the county, I feel that this concerns the entire county. So, I showed up today and want to speak my voice. I enjoy

80
00:22:53.120 --> 00:23:08.400
spending time outside and as a student, I hear it constantly the stigma surrounding AI telling us not to use it on our schoolwork. Many of my peers make fun of this, justify the use as like, oh, it's just an elective or it's just helping me with ideas. And when it's put like that doesn't sound so bad, but as

81
00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:24.320
someone um I see this as a much bigger underlying issue that gets overlooked. As someone who is keen to doing things in nature like trailblazing and hiking, I feel inclined to protect our environment. The healthier uh we treat our environment,

82
00:23:24.320 --> 00:23:41.600
the healthier we become in turn. And as these massive warehouses pop up in what is seemingly every corner of our country, I see now that this is an objective threat to our environment. Looking at the base function of these data centers alone, they serve to house thousands of servers and computers that run constantly. They emit smoke and

83
00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:56.640
create constant irritating noise to run the AI. But to do so, these warehouses must consume vast amounts of water and electricity uh our electricity and water. And as a town, as a county, as a community,

84
00:23:56.640 --> 00:24:13.360
these behemoths can consume up to 5,000 gallons of water per day in order to cool the servers so they don't overheat. And these companies claim that the water will be used and recycled and unharmed throughout this process, which is seemingly a lie. There's countless videos all over the internet of people

85
00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:28.640
who live next to these data centers turning on their sinks to receive the water that is brown and in some extreme Oh my god. In some extreme cases, no water at all. Forgive me. I'm concerned. That's why I'm a little shaky. Which includes our drinking water and showers. Due to this, the government suggests

86
00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:43.039
that people take shorter showers and conserve their water uses. I hope I do not need to explain why this is problematic in our community. The other issue becomes electricity being that other uh being that consumed at terrifying rates which again comes from

87
00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:59.600
our community. For example, in Utah, the proposed data center which is backed by Kevin Olirri will consume 9 gawatt of electricity if built which is double the state's current electricity use of 4 gawatt. And regarding that data center, Utah

88
00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:17.360
Senate President J. Stewart Adams has already instructed Olyri to reduce the size by 75% or they will not follow through with construction. That type of energy is not just bought by billionaires. It is siphoned from our environment and our pockets. And with that, keep in mind that you were all

89
00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:34.000
elected to represent the people of Kennorth and in this case, the people of Union County and a radius of maybe 20 to 30 miles with an effect of this data center. I hope you all do what is in best interest of our community and our

90
00:25:34.000 --> 00:26:03.679
people because I am dearly concerned. I was never associated with politics before and I felt as though I needed to come and make A STAND TODAY. NEXT PERSON. Anyone else from the public? Hello, my name is Sophia Pon. I'm 20

91
00:26:03.679 --> 00:26:20.320
years old and I am from Union County and I'm a rising junior at Bingmpington University. I'm also a little nervous so I might be shaky as well. Um, data centers affect four important things. Energy cost, water consumption, community health, and the environment.

92
00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:35.760
Once fully operational, this Kennallorth data center will require 250 megawatts of power. 250 megawatts of power can power up to 250,000 homes. We have already experienced ridiculous power outages in New Jersey. Last June,

93
00:26:35.760 --> 00:26:51.039
thousands lost power as temperatures reached 101°. Data centers demand massive amounts of energy, driving up energy costs which are placed on the residents within the area. How will we deal with future power outages and rising temperatures as data centers

94
00:26:51.039 --> 00:27:06.400
consume all of the resources we desperately need? According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey is currently experiencing a drought after Memorial Day weekend. The current water supply conditions are below norms. Data centers

95
00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:21.919
require massive amounts of water to cool it down. This data center will require water that the state of New Jersey does not have. Most data centers use diesel power generators for backup power. Operating these data centers for less than a week or these generators for less

96
00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:37.919
than a week on average is enough to worsen lung and cardiovascular health for people in the area and at least three premature deaths every year. People in West Virginia reported seeing black smoke and when the generators are running, soot falls to the ground. Evidently, data centers have a

97
00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:53.120
profoundly negative effect on public health. And like everything else, these data centers will have a detrimental impact on the environment, sucking our land dry, polluting the air around it, causing noise pollution, and disturbing ecosystems. This will have a lasting

98
00:27:53.120 --> 00:28:09.840
effect on not just this community, but New Jersey as a whole. We want our land to stay green. In one year, data centers produced 28 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is about the same amount as Argentina. This amount of energy was produced using

99
00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:26.799
about 1.2 trillion gallons of water. This is all expected to double in the next four years. If you want to be remembered for something great, cease the construction of this data center that will harm the people and land that you were elected to protect and care for. Thank you.

100
00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:53.440
>> Thank you. ANYONE else from the public wish to speak? >> Uh, Robert Antonzac, I've been a resident in Kennoworth for 67 years. Uh, I just have two easy questions. What is the advantage of this data center to

101
00:28:53.440 --> 00:29:09.360
counter? I hear more disadvantages, but what are the advantages to the data center? What is it giving to Kennaworth? >> What what are the pros when I hear all what are the pros?

102
00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:26.000
>> I just want to tell you that most of the things that you're hearing about the data center are not the facts and the data center that's being built in Kennallorth and the it will produce a lot of readables for our community. There will be a lot of benefits to

103
00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:41.840
kettle. >> Is it is it true that we >> Is it true that the town gave them a tax break for so many years? >> That's not true. >> So they don't get a tax break for so not from us.

104
00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:58.720
>> Not from us. No. >> What you're reading about the $250 million tax thing was from the state >> state. Not incentive to get the AI companies here. And from my understanding, it's a $50 million tax break over five years. And that doesn't >> that's being challenged right now. Also,

105
00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:15.919
that may not even go through. So, >> so all we're all we're really in this for is money. >> Basically, >> we have a vacant industrial park that doesn't benefit the town being vacant. We don't have tax revenue coming in from vacant properties. it there's more

106
00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:31.840
ratables like the uh mayor is saying and what that means is more chances for tax revenue to come from a commercial business on an industrial park. So when we talk about it staying green, it's an industrial park. It isn't necessarily park. >> It's not green. >> I mean I see all these apartment

107
00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:48.799
buildings going up all over the state in little towns like Garwood and Cranford and where are all the single family homes? We couldn't. >> It's an absolute problem in the state. Inventory stays super low. Prices stay super high on the homes. It's a big

108
00:30:48.799 --> 00:31:04.480
problem going on in our state. Affordability is absolutely an issue and I think you're nailing it with the single family homes. We're not building small homes. We're only building large homes or apartment buildings which suck a massive amount of power and water usage. >> Correct. >> Within a very small zone because they're

109
00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:21.679
high density housing operations. So, I mean, uh, >> we're talking about an industrial park with an industrial operation going in. >> I've worked there many years. I I work construction, so I've been in and out of shearing and >> for many years, but I I just

110
00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:42.640
>> I appreciate your time. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you for your comment. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, council. Victor Gomes from Union Township here again regarding the core AI data center project. Over the past several weeks, we have raised

111
00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:57.600
concerns about power demand, environmental impacts, infrastructure, capacity, noise, air quality, public health, and long-term effects of this project, uh the effects that this project have on our community. At the last meeting, residents heard a number

112
00:31:57.600 --> 00:32:13.600
of rationalizations and comparisons from you all intended to minimize our concerns about this project. We heard from the members of this council falsehoods about Northern Virginia, irrelevant references to the former Merk property, poorly thoughtout comparisons

113
00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:28.480
to residential apartments, which by the way, this facility would be equal to about 100,000 of those apartments, and all kinds of other rationalizations that have nothing to do with this project. None of that answered the central question. Has this specific

114
00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:43.840
project been independently evaluated? And where is that analysis? residents have already placed evidence and examples from other communities on the record simply dismissing them as falsehoods which they are not for the record. They are not falsehoods that we are coming up here with. They are

115
00:32:43.840 --> 00:33:01.039
documented documented incidents from legitimate sources. I know I understand that you guys might not recognize what that is since you're not providing it to us, but that's what those are. Simply dismissing those concerns or comparing this project to unrelated situations is not a substitute for transparent review

116
00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:16.960
and documented facts. The reality is that many basic questions remain unanswered. We did hear one answer about the development agreement apparently not being executed yet. So, at least we got one answer here this evening that we hadn't before. Now, the next question is when was it uh when will it be released

117
00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:32.640
to the public or will you be informing us when it is signed and executed? What approvals have been granted for the construction that's ongoing? What approvals are still outstanding? What's the expected timeline for completion of and the operation of this facility? Where's the environmental impact study

118
00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:47.840
or any other independent analysis to evaluate the impacts of this project? None of that has been made available publicly. Residents continue to hear that Core Weave, the applicant, will provide information, but that is not the same thing as independent review. We are not asking for empty assurances from

119
00:33:47.840 --> 00:34:04.080
Coree. We want to see evidence. If the council is so certain that this data center is safe for the community and it's based on sound evidence, then it should easily be able to and willing to answer these questions and release the documents and analysis it's relying on. Yet repeatedly, you have chosen to avoid

120
00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:20.480
answering these basic questions or providing the evidence that we seek. We deserve to know why. That is the heart of the issue. We are being asked to trust a process that has provided very little transparency and very few concrete answers. The purpose of public participation is not simply to allow

121
00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:35.599
residents to speak. It is to make sure concerns are properly examined before decisions become irreversible. So, I want to make the following clear for the record. And I have 10 seconds, and I intend to finish this. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the potential impacts of this project. Those concerns are being placed on the public

122
00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:51.599
record before this project is completed and facility becomes operational. If serious negative impacts occur in the future, not a single one of you sitting up here will be able to say that residents failed to raise these concerns, that the risks were unknown, or that you were not given the opportunity to investigate them through

123
00:34:51.599 --> 00:35:07.920
independent review. I'm going to finish. I would strongly urge each of you to consider what might happen to consider what might happen if this projects if this project proceeds without adequate review and the risk and concerns we have repeatedly raised here

124
00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:30.640
materialize. >> Please keep that in mind. Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to speak? Um hello I'm a high school student um who lives in Rosal Park and I also have um a lot of concerns about the environmental impacts of this data

125
00:35:30.640 --> 00:35:47.520
center. Um first of all the carbon emissions um data centers produce mass amounts of carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide and there have been studies shown where it has like been known that these data like these uh particles from these data centers um allow development

126
00:35:47.520 --> 00:36:02.960
of like they expand the development of COPD and asthma in many individuals and have actually caused like premature deaths because of it. Um, let me pluck my thoughts. Sorry. Um, and the noise uh the noise pollution. Um,

127
00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:19.680
these data centers can exceed 90 dB. Um, here permanent hearing damage can occur at as low as 82. That is concerning. Anyone who lives within like a like anyone who lives within the range of the data center can literally get permanent

128
00:36:19.680 --> 00:36:34.560
hearing damage just from living by it because the noise never stops. The noise is 24/7. The light pollution as well, like it disrupts the body's natural sleep cycle and it is also on 24/7. People will be losing sleep over this. That is

129
00:36:34.560 --> 00:36:49.680
concerning. And clearly this has not been thought through in any capacity. And if if it were to have precautions taken, we can't know that until it is built. And even then, you can't instill those once it is built. Thank you and good night.

130
00:36:49.680 --> 00:37:23.119
>> THANK YOU. FROM UNION. >> Um I have one question. is our understanding that uh there's supposed to be a meeting on the 16th where um Cororeweave is supposed to address our concerns. How are you going to publicize

131
00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:39.280
that? So that >> we that that meeting has I'm not really sure where that came out to the public, but it shouldn't have yet. Um >> we're still working out details about meetings and that's we're still working out the details. That's all I can say

132
00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:56.880
about it and I'm not really sure Um but >> in the event that >> there you will you will be notified. It will be it will be announced >> where >> it depends on who puts the meeting

133
00:37:56.880 --> 00:38:11.920
together. So >> well the all it will be announced county all >> yeah union county needs to know what's >> I understand that ma'am I just can't speak to that right now. I'm sorry. I apologize. No transparency. >> Well, it's not

134
00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:42.000
>> from me. I just don't WANT CORRECT PANEL. >> SO, I have a question. I'm Don Ryan. >> I am a 26-year Army vet. We just moved here. within the last month. My daughter, the

135
00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:57.280
only reason I'm here is because my daughter's going to college here. Okay. Russ, I would have stayed probably in Pennsylvania because I just found out about the state of Senate from some of these lovely people online. My question to you is, what assurance are you going to give us that the electric bills ain't

136
00:38:57.280 --> 00:39:13.280
going to go up, the gas bills ain't going to go up, the water consumption ain't going to go up? Our bills. Okay. And my question to Kennallorth, I'm sure you have an answer. Obviously, money drives a train, right? So my question to you, mayor, is what did Kennallworth gain?

137
00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:29.359
Not necessarily you, but what did Kennallorth gain out of this data center going here? It had to be something. >> We're still working out the financial agreements with Corweave. >> So then my question to the my question to the attorney, Thank you, Mayor. My

138
00:39:29.359 --> 00:39:45.520
question to the attorney, if you can if you can answer this because I don't know about law. My question is how does an injunction go in to stop this from being built? Because I know ground was broken. I was told. >> Yes. >> Well, I I I don't give advice to

139
00:39:45.520 --> 00:40:03.440
individuals to engage in legal action. So I only represent the governing body. >> Okay. Okay. So, how however I must advise you that the electric and the other utilities, this body has no

140
00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:20.560
control over that. Nor is there any uh area of law that would permit this body or even the planning board to make decisions based upon in someone's opinion them using too much

141
00:40:20.560 --> 00:40:38.720
electricity or too much water or something to that effect. You know there are separation of powers in a government and there are certain things that a municipality can do and certain things a municipality cannot do. I I hear the concerns about noise. I

142
00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:53.760
hear the concerns about pollution. All of that's regulated by the state. They have to follow the laws of the state. Uh to think that a a data center

143
00:40:53.760 --> 00:41:10.480
is going to be producing more uh air pollution than an automobile factory >> is not realistic. However, they're subject to the same rules. Um, so they're again and and by the same

144
00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:26.400
level of go government, right? This the state of New Jersey regulates that. We don't have jurisdiction to regulate that. We're preempted from regulating that. Uh so uh the concerns that are being articulated, I'm not saying that uh anyone is wrong for maintaining those

145
00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:43.119
concerns, but those concerns should be articulated to the appropriate branch of government, which in this case is the state. and it's more particularly the Department of Environmental Protection. Um, so I I just wanted to get that out for you as well. >> Mayor, may I have a minute? Because you

146
00:41:43.119 --> 00:42:00.960
pretty much took up my time. >> I understand that and that's what happens when you ask a question, but I cannot give you any more time. I'm sorry because if we do that, we have to give it to everyone. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public wish to

147
00:42:00.960 --> 00:42:29.359
speak? Excuse me. Is it okay if I just pull this out? Just split this 10 minutes. >> Sure. Of course. >> Hello everyone. My name is Sette Albana and I live in Union, New Jersey. I hope everyone is having a good night so far. I just wanted to comment on the last

148
00:42:29.359 --> 00:42:44.640
meeting, Mayor and Council, May 20th, 2026. Councilman William Maro referenced Northern Virginia as an example of successful data center expansion. And I quote, "I actually did some research on the data centers and found out that

149
00:42:44.640 --> 00:42:59.839
Northern Virginia is the data center capital of the world. There's over a 100 hypers scale data centers there right now. over 350 co-gen or co-op or whatever the right word there is. So, it's interesting and I applaud anybody

150
00:42:59.839 --> 00:43:14.960
to come to the next meeting telling us what's wrong with Northern Virginia because I don't actually hear about those sites actually being mentioned." End quote. I have a friend that I met overseas while volunteering with refugee children. She mentioned to me in the

151
00:43:14.960 --> 00:43:30.880
past that she was born and raised in Ashurn, Virginia, which is considered part of Northern Virginia. And she said, and I am paraphrasing, not quoting, "The data centers where I live are so bad. I hate them. It gives off noise pollution and they completely ruin the natural

152
00:43:30.880 --> 00:43:46.400
landscape as well. It cause wildlife disruption. Ashurn used to have a ton of dirt, excuse me, sorry, deer, birds, ducks, and now not so much. I have called my representative about it a couple of times. It's really a shame."

153
00:43:46.400 --> 00:44:02.079
So, Councilman Maro framing, "I'm not hearing complaints from Northern Virginia," isn't fully accurate. Those complaints do exist. There is public opposition there. New Jersey does not have to follow every development trend happening across the US. We have the

154
00:44:02.079 --> 00:44:16.800
advantage to learn from the experiences of other communities to make decisions that serve our interests. I also wanted to address the comments made by Councilman William Maro that many of the people speaking on this issue are from surrounding towns rather

155
00:44:16.800 --> 00:44:36.119
than C Kenner itself. I find it concerning when language is being used to discredit our opinions and make us feel unwelcomed. We are the same county, environment, and state. We have a right to voice our concerns. Thank you. ANYONE

156
00:44:37.040 --> 00:45:03.440
else from the public? >> How you guys doing tonight? My name is John Parinelloo. I've been in this town for about 15 years. And uh in the last few years, I've been seeing a lot of changes. Our trees are destroyed. They told us for power lines. Well, this kind

157
00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:20.079
of all makes sense. Then they told us the poles that they put are about a mile high from Gallopin Hill Road to the corner of Michigan Avenue or for Verizon 5G, which was not true. But this data center, I'd like to ask Mark as the

158
00:45:20.079 --> 00:45:36.960
burrow attorney. You mentioned the EPA. Where did this company AI get their VOC tax credits on for this project? Do you know what a VOCC tax credit is? >> No.

159
00:45:36.960 --> 00:45:53.760
>> Okay. I'll give you a real quick hint. If this young lady opened up a pocketbook stand on 14th Avenue, the EPA would be there right away. Wonder what oils, what what she's using to manufacture her leather bags. Well, you said the EPA. The EPA is pretty much dissolved in New Jersey. Okay.

160
00:45:53.760 --> 00:46:09.440
>> D >> D is pretty >> and No, it isn't. It's nowhere near >> No, not the You said >> I never used EPA. I >> Okay. Well, the EPA is pretty much dissolved and they control what gets admitted in the air. >> The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection also controls

161
00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:24.960
>> correct. I know. I have quite a bit of experience with that. Okay. But where did this AI company get the resources to buy the tax credits for it to open up a facility of this kind in this town? Because you cannot open anything that

162
00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:41.760
emits pollution without tax credits. You have to buy a large company. You'd have to go to GM because they pollute or Ford. Where is these VOC tax credits coming from? That's a very important question that we need to ask. Another thing AI

163
00:46:41.760 --> 00:46:58.160
>> it's outside our jurisdiction. >> Excuse me. >> We could ask and we could get an answer, but it's outside our >> jurisiction. That would be pretty important because you'd want to know what kind of chemicals they're letting out in the air. >> I'm not saying that it's not important to you or or or to anyone that expresses a concern. But what I'm articulating is

164
00:46:58.160 --> 00:47:13.760
that there is a separation of governmental powers. >> Sure. >> And with that information, there's nothing that this body could do. I understand >> or the planning board could do. So I just don't you know. >> Right. No, I understand that. But as a burrow, we should ask these questions. Where are these credits coming to for

165
00:47:13.760 --> 00:47:30.480
admit this pollution? And as far as AI, you know what that did to us? Everybody in this room that has kids, they're not going to have a job. I got three friends that worked for a company. They got asked to build an AI department. They all got fired from 120,000 job dollar

166
00:47:30.480 --> 00:47:57.680
job after 2530 years. They're working at Home Depot. They're working at Shopright in one move to Delaware. So for everything that you think this is good for this town, it's going to destroy it. >> Thank you very much. Hi, my name is Chelsea. I'm from

167
00:47:57.680 --> 00:48:13.599
Cranford. Um, this is my fourth time here, so you guys clearly know I don't agree with this. Um, what I did want to talk about today is basically since you guys seem pretty um, hellbent on pushing this thing through, what kind of things

168
00:48:13.599 --> 00:48:28.319
we can maybe come up with to make the quality of life for people suck less because it's clear that it's going to. Um, I want to propose that we have rules like maybe you guys can come up with some legislation for large scale

169
00:48:28.319 --> 00:48:43.440
generators that go on for prolonged periods of time. Um, I think if towns can ban leaf blowers that this is something that you could definitely put into place to make it just a bit harder for them to run generators 24 hours a

170
00:48:43.440 --> 00:48:58.160
day. Um, I'd like you to put light pollution legislation into place. Maybe some type of like environmental lighting or something like they have in Sedona, Arizona. I don't know. something that will make it so that it's not like 12 in

171
00:48:58.160 --> 00:49:15.920
the afternoon at 11:00 p.m. Um, I think that you should also impose an industrial wastewater legislation. I'm not exactly sure what that would look like. Obviously, I'm not in the government. Um, but I do think it's something that you could do to make sure that this whole area doesn't become like

172
00:49:15.920 --> 00:49:34.240
disgustingly polluted. Um, I think that you could also institute a groundwater protection plan. um that requires permitting. This way you can make sure that it's up to the standards of the residents. Um I also think that since

173
00:49:34.240 --> 00:49:50.160
you're still negotiating the finances, maybe you could negotiate a buyout plan for uh residents nearby who will struggle to sell their homes. And I think those rates should be locked in now before the data center is up and running and no one wants to live there

174
00:49:50.160 --> 00:50:05.520
and the prop property rates plummet. So, like anybody living say maybe like minimally I would say 2,000 ft away from the data center should be included in the plan, but that's I feel like being uh that's a little too close. You could

175
00:50:05.520 --> 00:50:22.160
probably go a little further. Um I have 52 seconds left. I just wanted to close it out with this quote, this great quote by Sam Alman, the CEO of Open AI. AI will probably most likely lead to the end of the world, but in the meantime,

176
00:50:22.160 --> 00:50:48.480
they'll be great companies. So, good luck on your ratables. I'm sure it'll be great. >> Good evening everybody. Hello all. welcome out oftowners that don't live here, especially people from Garwood to Cranford that Cranford has a data

177
00:50:48.480 --> 00:51:05.440
center, believe it or not. Okay. What I'd like to speak about is this brown water issue and groundwater issue. >> We just get your name and address, please. >> I'm sorry. My name is Timmy McConno and I'm a Kennorth resident. Okay. I am also the business agent for steam fitters local 475 which we are uh responsible

178
00:51:05.440 --> 00:51:20.480
1500 families and we have amongst the other people we have uh between 5 and 600 people working over there at the core uh data center we also support the town as far as restaurants and taxable rails uh we actually live here I don't

179
00:51:20.480 --> 00:51:37.680
live in Hamilton I don't live in Garwood I don't live in pickup place whatever okay we live here all Right. So my point about it is uh brown water. Okay. I just make it as simple as I can. You drive you drove a car here. Right. You have a

180
00:51:37.680 --> 00:51:54.160
radiator in your car. Okay. So the radiator runs on a closed system. All right. So which means glycol or antifreeze. All right. So now how when you before you left the house, did you put water in your car? Have you ever put water in your car since you bought the

181
00:51:54.160 --> 00:52:10.240
car? >> You fill up the rest of the wire all the time. >> No. No. All right. All right. Tim, you have to address us. Tim, >> you have to address us. >> I will. Thank you. I'm sorry. >> I apologize. I apologize for that

182
00:52:10.240 --> 00:52:25.599
council people. >> Yes. >> My my point is is this. This thing about brown water, there's no brown water. This thing about Blackburg Park being polluted uh miles away, not going to happen. The only issue that may be is the electric. And the governor addressed

183
00:52:25.599 --> 00:52:41.760
it the other day. What are four pillars of uh for AI? Okay. One is transparency. And that's what we all want. Okay. We all want to know what this thing is doing, what it's going to do, and how it's going to affect us all. Our kids, our property value, all this other kind of stuff that's going on. The other

184
00:52:41.760 --> 00:52:57.760
thing is uh noise mitigation. Okay. I was on uh Echo Lake golf course the other day. I had a meter. It was uh between 55 and 60 dB. That is what this place is going to be here. You >> need to be closer to my house to my house. >> Let him speak.

185
00:52:57.760 --> 00:53:13.680
>> All right. The only one. You can't speak, ma'am. I'm sorry. >> Excuse me, though. But when did you move there, >> Tim? Tim. Tim, >> I'm sorry. The parkway was there for about 50 years. I'm sure you bought the house way after that. Sim similar to the golf the shooting range down the other

186
00:53:13.680 --> 00:53:29.599
end of town. Okay. The other thing is um pollution. There's no pollution. Okay. Where where where's the police down? >> Okay. >> My point being is this is a positive for

187
00:53:29.599 --> 00:53:46.480
the town. For the town and the town people, not the travelers, not the out oftowners, not anybody that doesn't live in this area. I I have issues. I don't have issues. I um I agree with the people that live on the border, whether it be in Union or Roso Park. Okay? They

188
00:53:46.480 --> 00:54:01.520
have an issue. they're part of this problem or are part of the they can be part part of the um solution. We all need to work together on this. This a big this is a good thing for the town, good thing for the community, good thing for the restaurants, good thing for everybody. Uh and that's what I got. Thank you.

189
00:54:01.520 --> 00:54:23.920
>> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Can we have your name and address please? >> Christine Kennaw. Um, I just have a question. >> What's actually running there right now? >> Nothing. >> Yes.

190
00:54:23.920 --> 00:54:40.559
>> Okay. Wait. Nothing. No. >> Well, Merk has a data center that's been running there for 20 years and they still have it. >> Is it active? >> It's active. Yes, it is. >> So, is that the smoke that's coming out right now? >> I don't know what smoke is coming from there. >> That is going into our >> I don't know, but I know that

191
00:54:40.559 --> 00:54:55.440
cororeweave is not operational. >> Okay. Right. But there's smoke going up in our air from whatever company. We don't know. I don't know why. >> Well, the the company Onyx, it was in the news that they bought the entire plot of land, the whole industrial park.

192
00:54:55.440 --> 00:55:12.079
>> My question is, what is that smoke that I saw? The councilman is is trying to answer. >> Everybody's coming up here to talk to us and ask questions. >> Maybe you should have did that two years ago. >> This is what happened. So, I won't answer. >> Maybe we should have had this conversation two years ago. >> Maybe you could have come to a meeting.

193
00:55:12.079 --> 00:55:26.880
Guys, learn my lesson. You'll be seeing a lot of me. Happy to. >> Um, what? So, we don't know what that slope is. >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> Cut us off. So, I mean, what do you want to know? >> Okay. My next question is we took a little ride there

194
00:55:26.880 --> 00:55:44.240
and the security office officer came out and my husband had a little chitchat with him after he tried ripping his phone out of his hand and he said, my husband said, "What do you want to get cancer?" And you know what he said? "I already have it. I don't care. It's private property. It's none of your

195
00:55:44.240 --> 00:56:02.000
business. What's going on here? >> So, I guess he works for Corby. >> I don't know. I don't know who he spoke to and spoke. I got the guard. I got him fighting over a phone. You know, him saying it's none of our business.

196
00:56:02.000 --> 00:56:18.000
>> I will Can I just say that sack that you're seeing, you're saying it's smoke. It's really steam. And that's been there since shearing plow. >> What what is it because I know >> it's just a cooling system for the existing buildings and that was always

197
00:56:18.000 --> 00:56:33.280
there. And that always went off and it has to remain operational. It's like >> when large factories might have their boiler system and you have to keep them running. You can't shut them on and off like you would your house. So that's

198
00:56:33.280 --> 00:56:48.240
been operational since sharing. and the data center. There's there has been a a data center on site since shearing plow that Merc that Merc updated and

199
00:56:48.240 --> 00:57:04.240
renovated. So there's always been something on that site operational. >> Okay. And my next question is when something does get into our water or there's a fire, do we have a game plan? Because we don't get any other answers.

200
00:57:04.240 --> 00:57:19.920
Our fire department has routinely >> since sharing plow >> made provisions for anything that ever would happen on the air as does our police department. >> Yeah, that's this is a different animal. >> Exactly. And as the volunteer and you're

201
00:57:19.920 --> 00:57:39.760
right, as the as the property develops, our our fire and police department will become more robust. >> They're volunteer. >> Anyone else? >> We should have a player. >> We do. WE DO. HI, I'M FROM KENNAWORTH. I just wanted

202
00:57:39.760 --> 00:57:58.000
to address what that gentleman was saying about the electric legislation that went into effect. >> What is your name, please? >> It doesn't matter. I don't have to say it. I learned that through the past meetings. >> Um that the governor did put into effect

203
00:57:58.000 --> 00:58:13.280
the first legislation where large data centers using 100 megawws or more will have to pay at least 85%. Okay? But the other 15% or what 20%

204
00:58:13.280 --> 00:58:31.359
would fall onto the rest of us. So it helps but there's still room where our mill may go up. And in reference to what you were saying is you don't have control over what goes on there. In essence, it's already been approved. So

205
00:58:31.359 --> 00:58:49.119
no, you did lose control. But before if there was research further, maybe there would have been a little more talk. But these four division of the buildings from the last three uh meetings ago, you have an opportunity to investigate and

206
00:58:49.119 --> 00:59:05.200
look at what's going to go on there just to make sure like you would on a home build, do an inspection like what is targeted to go there. Okay. in inspections will always occur as it does with any any construction.

207
00:59:05.200 --> 00:59:21.359
>> You can't say control because you do, you know, you follow through. >> Well, you're taking my statement out of context. I didn't say that we couldn't inspect and ensure that construction is going to take place over

208
00:59:21.359 --> 00:59:37.440
and that's >> Are you saying today or are you saying in a past meeting? >> I was saying that we cannot control activities based upon the criteria or the issues that you and the other individuals have brought up. We cannot

209
00:59:37.440 --> 00:59:53.119
make decisions based upon their electric use. >> We cannot make decisions based upon >> accordingly now. So we'll be more aware because that's >> we'll we'll be aware of it but we don't regulate that and that's the point that I was making. >> Investigate it further before

210
00:59:53.119 --> 01:00:14.160
>> my point is investigating it further doesn't give us the ability to impose regulations based upon it. Anyone else from the public? >> I hope you guys can hear me. I'm going to make this quick because um I have two kids at home with a newborn and a four

211
01:00:14.160 --> 01:00:30.160
years old. I'm not from this area. I had to drive 30 minutes with traffic and car jams. I'm from Newark, New Jersey. And I'm just going to write a pet. I had written this cuz I just made up my own petition. I'm just going to It's really all over the place, but you'll get it if you're from New Jersey. I don't know

212
01:00:30.160 --> 01:00:46.559
what the other guys point the first guy's point was, but I'm glad because I thought I was late, but I'm glad that people are still here. It means that we're here. And um it doesn't matter where you're from in New Jersey. If you're from Kennallorth, it affects us all and it affects our children. So, I

213
01:00:46.559 --> 01:01:02.880
had deleted some stuff, but here it goes. It says, "My generation never conformed or complied." I'm sorry. Give me a second. um never conformed or complied with what we saw were clear control tactics. The spirit of the millennial child with the driven Jersey heart was a force to be

214
01:01:02.880 --> 01:01:19.040
reckoned with and so they tried to harder to break us and the generation after us and the next and the next and so it will be. Now we put our hands up. Our boomer parents are tired and aging but they can't retire yet. And maybe they never will. Our younger generation, the people of tomorrow, struggle to read

215
01:01:19.040 --> 01:01:36.319
on basic levels, controlled by the screen and suffering silently. The chemtros above our heads have been running every day for decades to purposely get us sick and keep us sick, weak, and disarmed. This process has successfully replaced our natural clouds. The food we buy at our local New

216
01:01:36.319 --> 01:01:52.079
Jersey shop right and stop and shop are selling us overpriced chemically injected bio-engineered food that is sold even through family first to produce cancer and so our children will ne are are denied we're deni our children are denied a healthy childhood

217
01:01:52.079 --> 01:02:07.280
even when I was a kid I thought those chemtrails were blimps that's how that's how naive I was and this guy saying hey maybe if you come to a meeting you guys make us naive you you don't let us know. You guys do things as fast as you can so

218
01:02:07.280 --> 01:02:23.920
the people don't know about it. So even my children will will be denied that too. Um today we've let so much slide. AI databases are ravaging the exact homelands that make us who we are as New Jerseyians. Our stinky marshlands, the salty shorelines, the fresh air of our

219
01:02:23.920 --> 01:02:39.359
dense forest. All of what we know to love as the Garden State. and the communities we create with our families and our friends are being targeted targeted by big corporations, corrupt lawmakers, and those who do business with them. The sickening immoral things

220
01:02:39.359 --> 01:02:56.319
that we see online. And that's why I came here cuz thank goodness for people that were speaking up. People, they feel it and they're going to fight for their families. They're they're there are people some people may sit down for it, but there's people that are fighting. So, you know,

221
01:02:56.319 --> 01:03:13.040
that's why I I came here cuz I saw it said June 3rd and I said I have to be here. Something told me I have to be here cuz this is only 30 minutes from where I live. That that's going to affect my family. It doesn't matter. No, no part of New Jersey. We don't deserve this in New Jersey. Um, you know, that's

222
01:03:13.040 --> 01:03:42.319
what makes us who we are as New Jerseyians. Our nature, you know, our forest, our oceans. >> Thank you. Thank you for YOUR COMMENTS. JORDAN PANO, Union County, New Jersey. Um, I know there was some talk about the explosion from a few people. I actually

223
01:03:42.319 --> 01:03:58.960
opred um the message that Councilman Piper received from the fire chief. So, I also oped the formal report. I wasn't given one, but I at least have a text for everybody. Hey, Mike, was there explosion on the core site? It was not an explosion. There was a problem with the turbine. It was the existing power

224
01:03:58.960 --> 01:04:15.359
plant that has been there forever. It was the equivalent of a car backfiring. Thanks. So, for everybody aware, this is the most information that is accessible about an explosion in front of a site. >> Oh, you asked me. >> You're welcome. Thank you so much for that answer and that official report.

225
01:04:15.359 --> 01:04:31.119
Does anybody here know what a deep fake is? So, it's when you can take a photo of somebody, alter it, edit it, put it on somebody's body for whatever purpose you would like, right? Um, the reason I started any of this is because more than anything in this country, we have an obligation to protect every single child

226
01:04:31.119 --> 01:04:46.640
in this country because they are vulnerable and they are innocent. Correct. With that being said, they did a study over 11 countries. This year alone, 1.2 million children felt comfortable disclosing being victims of sexually explicit deep fakes created of them on the internet. That is in a lot

227
01:04:46.640 --> 01:05:02.640
of countries one in 25 children. So one kid in every classroom has already become a victim to sexually explicit material created of them on the internet. They did a study with Grock. It's the artificial software through Twitter. I don't have Twitter. Whatever.

228
01:05:02.640 --> 01:05:18.720
In one day, in 3 days, I'm sorry. In 3 days, there was over 9 million. I'm sorry. Let me get I want to get this correct. I believe it was 9 days there was 3 million. It was a ridiculous number. Yeah. So three million plus images created of sexualized deep fakes

229
01:05:18.720 --> 01:05:34.720
of children and women in nine days. In the other study that they did through Grock as well. I don't know why Grock is having so many issues with this, but one deep fake abuse image is created per minute of a child or a woman. 98% of all

230
01:05:34.720 --> 01:05:51.680
deep fake videos on the internet are sexually explicit and non-consentual. 99% of those are women and children. If we are being told right because this is the basis Mr. tomorrow has said AI is the future right the way that AI works is it has to be trained by somebody and

231
01:05:51.680 --> 01:06:08.400
that is human beings whether it's our research whether it's our resources it's being trained from us so if we are giving an example of no empathy no protection of children no protection of women no community and no care or regard for human life how is artificial intelligence going to be in 5 or 10

232
01:06:08.400 --> 01:06:24.799
years and we already know it is advancing way faster than any of us understand right how are we going to stop sexually explicit photos and videos of women and children on the internet without their consent. >> Do you think not approving a data center would stop all that?

233
01:06:24.799 --> 01:06:39.599
>> WELL, THAT'S WHERE THAT THAT'S WHERE THAT'S HELPED. >> I I I would think that's naive. I'm not saying that if you think that way, you're naive. I'm saying that if we would think you're not up here. If if you would think that us not allowing one

234
01:06:39.599 --> 01:06:55.200
data center stops the macro things that you're talking about, I wouldn't be able to eat in it. >> And I would I would be I have to make this statement. >> You are all talking about the effect on children. Over a dozen children come

235
01:06:55.200 --> 01:07:12.240
from the people up here right now. So I mean it's there's a lot of hyperbole going on. There's a lot of research and a lot of Tik Tok noise telling everybody what we should be listening to. And there are counter studies all over the place. Nobody here wants to actually listen to when we bring them up. But

236
01:07:12.240 --> 01:07:28.240
that's fine. I don't think that us preventing one data center stops any of the things that you were talking about. I don't agree with any of the things you're talking about. I think they're vile and I think they should stop. But us to say that stopping a Kennorth data center stops what you're bringing up is absolutely naive.

237
01:07:28.240 --> 01:07:42.240
>> It stops the extension of artificial intelligence, which is how deep fakes are created on the internet. Thank you. >> It does not stop. Anybody thinking that has the power to stop on

238
01:07:42.240 --> 01:08:07.599
the internet IS I appreciate the round OF you guys should be part of the solution not part of the problem. Anyone else from the public? >> Does anyone else like to speak?

239
01:08:07.599 --> 01:08:27.040
>> Hello. >> I just want to identify before my time starts. >> He sat there for me when I walked up. I need this noted. So, you could could you zoom in on his face? Make sure he's in in the in the shot. This creepy little smurf

240
01:08:27.040 --> 01:08:42.640
follows me, takes notes. Maybe it's for you. I don't know. But I just want to identify what Jordan just said. Women being concerned about their safety. What is he doing? He used to be the attorney for this town. Yes or no? What is he doing? He didn't do this

241
01:08:42.640 --> 01:08:59.679
for anyone else that came up and speak. Correct me if I'm wrong. Did he do for anybody else? >> Can we get your name and address, please? >> I just This is her time. >> All right. So, I am not qualified to

242
01:08:59.679 --> 01:09:15.359
talk about AI. I don't want to use AI. I'm not interested. I like a digital clock. I I'm like old school. I'm not interested in this. But the amount of research that I did in the past four and a half weeks, I can't look back. It is so concerning. And it's crazy because I

243
01:09:15.359 --> 01:09:31.759
didn't know what I didn't know. And now the amount of stuff that I know, I can't I can't look back. worrying about loved ones who are in their toddler years that if they're going to have a job, if they're going to make it to high school. Open AAI employees say they do not expect youth to make it to high school.

244
01:09:31.759 --> 01:09:47.440
I said this before, I'll say it again. It's concerning for all of us. If you got a dozen kids, are they grown up? Are they toddlers? None of my business. Don't answer the question, but something to ponder, right? I also want to know, none of us here, there's a group chat of all, we're all working on this. Nobody supported the protest at your business

245
01:09:47.440 --> 01:10:03.199
in Cranford. We all agreed to keep it in Counterworth, just so you know. No one in this room. Nobody in this room. I need you to know that. All right. Nobody supported that in Cranford. We want to keep it here. I also want to say throughout New Jersey, Vinland, New Jersey, those residents are

246
01:10:03.199 --> 01:10:20.000
doing um are doing their laundry, their white laundry, it comes out brown in Nutley, New Jersey, right now since June 1st, there is a um an alert not to use non-essential water. Don't wash your car. Don't fill up a pool in in Nutley. In Clifton, there is a boil water

247
01:10:20.000 --> 01:10:35.920
advisory as of today. What is going on? I hear you at these AI data centers. You guys are so powerful sitting in those chairs. You can stop so much. And the fact we come week after week, again, we're not paid protesters. We are literal residents. Everybody's taking time away from their families, their

248
01:10:35.920 --> 01:10:51.280
friends, their kids to be here and and try to let you guys think a a different concern versus then what the applicant told you. The amount of money that's going to be coming into this town, it's it's insane. There is also I will email

249
01:10:51.280 --> 01:11:06.800
the mayor tomorrow. There's a video in Nutley, New Jersey. They have a data center that was approved of last July. Same thing. No transparency. They have brown glowing water in Nutley. That's going to happen here. And the other thing that's really concerning is the construction workers from

250
01:11:06.800 --> 01:11:22.320
Cororeweave, they go into local businesses for their lunch and you know what they say about us guys that we're crazy that we're not going to stop it because it's almost done. Because it's almost done. So the first meeting we came on April 28th when you guys said no construction, no construction. There's

251
01:11:22.320 --> 01:11:38.640
plenty of construction. It's almost done. >> So what what more are we to do? If we've been coming here for four and a half weeks, what more do we do? >> I don't know. But I have a family member that lives in Nutley. So I'm going to have to call because she hasn't >> You want to come? We could We could go ahead and take a ride. I don't live in Nutley. You want to find out? >> I have a family member that lives in

252
01:11:38.640 --> 01:12:01.679
Nutly. >> I will send you the video and you can send it to her. That's fine. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? folded. How do you know? >> She said that.

253
01:12:01.679 --> 01:12:16.960
>> Hi, I'm Meline from Westfield. I don't live in West I don't live in Kennallorth, but I live within three miles of that data center. And those water pipes don't just stop in Kennallorth. The water flows in and out.

254
01:12:16.960 --> 01:12:34.000
So, we're not we're not segregated from anything that happens here. And the electricity grid is PSCG giving us our own grid in Westfield versus Kennallorth or Cranford or Union. So we are within the impact radius of anything that happens here in Kennallorth with that

255
01:12:34.000 --> 01:12:51.199
data center. So I had a few questions. One is I had heard there was going to be a meeting with the surrounding towns to discuss what what things are happening here in Tennere. Has that meeting happened? has is it going to be scheduled or what the status is because

256
01:12:51.199 --> 01:13:07.360
>> there there is not a meeting scheduled at this time. We're still talking about it, >> right? Because again we you know a lot of us are affected because we live so close to where this data center is being built. And my other question is about this redevelopment plan which is being

257
01:13:07.360 --> 01:13:22.800
worked on. Do we get an opportunity to review before it becomes finalized? because we are >> there will be a public hearing on the redevelopment agreement, >> right? And I just I don't understand that process. I wouldn't have thought that would have been done before any

258
01:13:22.800 --> 01:13:40.560
approvals were um made for coreweave to go forward with this. So I guess it sounds a little backwards to me. So I'm confused about that the sequence of the process as well as the financials. I mean I would think like if you buy a car, you want to know the financials up

259
01:13:40.560 --> 01:13:56.159
front. You're not going to say, "Oh, just I'll pick up the car and I'll worry about the money later." That's I unless I misunderstood what you said. It sounds like you're still working on the financials. >> There's a lot of moving parts there, >> right? So, it's a little upsetting because no one makes a decision not

260
01:13:56.159 --> 01:14:13.040
understanding the money aspect of it. So, another thing that I don't understand the process about. Um, so the other thing is I know that within our group they've opened up a few OPRA requests to get things like environmental impact studies,

261
01:14:13.040 --> 01:14:30.159
environmental justice screenings or studies or surveys. So I I saw that it was going to be a twoe extension. So I'm I don't you probably don't know the answer to that, but why why is that information not available now? Why is

262
01:14:30.159 --> 01:14:45.280
two more weeks required for something like that if it's supposed to be already existing? Again, I don't understand your process or whoever created this process, but that just doesn't sound very um kosher to me. >> I'm not sure I understand your question.

263
01:14:45.280 --> 01:15:02.320
the OPER request that that our group open to get those environmental impact surveys and the environmental justice screenings. We were told that we'd have to wait till another two weeks in order to get that information. So, >> our federal employees work really hard

264
01:15:02.320 --> 01:15:35.199
and they're not just fulfilling your OPER request, right? >> And we're getting a lot of Oprah requests and they are they are processing them as quickly as they can. >> Okay. This is very important though. Thank you. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC? >> HI, my name is Emma. I'm resident in

265
01:15:35.199 --> 01:15:51.199
Garwood. Um, I just I just wanted to point out um I in regards to uh Councilman Mororrow's comment uh to Jordan in response to Jordan, so I don't know where she went. Um

266
01:15:51.199 --> 01:16:07.920
what she said about deep fakes and what you said that everyone here is talking about hyperbole. I personally just call that facts. Um that you say that these things are happening already so that there's no point in trying to stop the in stopping a data center. There's no point in it's not going to change

267
01:16:07.920 --> 01:16:23.040
anything. >> He did not say that. >> He didn't say that. >> Yes, you did. No, we did. >> I said it would be naive to think that us saying no to one data center stops the macro movement that you were talking about. >> I I Okay, it's >> I didn't say pointless. I said you need

268
01:16:23.040 --> 01:16:39.199
to think that way. >> Okay. No one was saying that it would stop it completely. people would say there are people in this world, people, most of the people on this side of things um that want things to change, that want things to get better and if you can make a change, even if you can't

269
01:16:39.199 --> 01:16:54.560
stop it completely, want to make that change and you guys have the power to not add to the problem and to just say, "Well, the problem already exists, so I'm not going to it's useless to try to do anything about it."

270
01:16:54.560 --> 01:17:11.440
>> Is it's ridiculous. And it's bizarre coming from an elected official. And so, >> well, um, I personally believe that you can't hold your hand up to stop a wave. And that's exactly what you have with AI. And for all the high school kids and the college kids in their career, >> people who say that this is my time, you're talking over me. The people who

271
01:17:11.440 --> 01:17:26.840
say that >> walking away. >> The the people I wasn't I was picking up my thing. The people who say that are the people who financially benefit from it. They have a financial interest in making everybody else think that it is an inevitability.

272
01:17:32.159 --> 01:17:55.280
Anyone else from the public wishing to speak? >> We need the money. Please stop drinking. >> My name is Nancy Tama. I live at 363 Maplewood Avenue. And I just want to know I have one

273
01:17:55.280 --> 01:18:12.159
question. I was told I don't know how true it is at the end of the block. There's a creek. Are you people going to fill it in because AI is supposed to be putting pipes or wires under it? >> There's no wires or pipes being put anywhere near there.

274
01:18:12.159 --> 01:18:38.640
>> Nothing at all. >> Nothing. >> All right. That's all I needed to know because >> that's not true. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Good evening everyone. My name is Chelsea and I am live right off of Galloping

275
01:18:38.640 --> 01:18:54.159
Hill. Technically Union, but I've always claimed Kennallorth. I've done a lot of things. I like to go to a smoothie place, yada yada. Um, I think a lot of people have covered everything that I have heard and learned about AI. I've I was here on the last meeting.

276
01:18:54.159 --> 01:19:10.080
I've only been to two and actually per your suggestion, I started signing up for the Kennallorth alerts and also the union alerts as that's technically >> what I'm trying to get at is as a teacher, one of my requirements in college was to always self-reflect. How

277
01:19:10.080 --> 01:19:26.640
can I do better? That's what I've been trying to do this whole time. I I do want to be a team. I think from what I'm hearing, if I were to reflect here as a classroom, everyone sounds confused. The residents sound confused. Not that you're confused, but you're confused on

278
01:19:26.640 --> 01:19:41.920
what we're saying. We're confused on which information is real, which information's not real, what information you're saying, what information we're not saying. If everyone's confused, there has to be something to to mitigate that confusion.

279
01:19:41.920 --> 01:19:58.400
And I watched some previous videos of from the Kennorth Burough um YouTube channel and one woman came up and said like she's willing to volunteer her time. She's willing to do what she can to make that better. I think there are people here who

280
01:19:58.400 --> 01:20:15.040
>> Yeah. I I don't like the aggression. I'm a very like >> peaceful person. But I understand why they are aggressive. When you are confused, you think of like a dog. When they get confused, they they get aggressive. There's got to be people around in Kennorth in surrounding towns

281
01:20:15.040 --> 01:20:30.400
who want to help mitigate that confusion. There's got to be something to really understand what is happening right down the street from a lot of people Kennorth or not. Um, and I'm just wondering if there if there's a plan, if

282
01:20:30.400 --> 01:20:46.800
there's an intern you can hire, if there's someone if there's people that can volunteer because >> we're going to we're working on getting a lot more information out to the public. >> When will we know? It it it feels like it's all happening so fast. I I I saw, like I said, I found out about this through an Instagram comment. I lived

283
01:20:46.800 --> 01:21:02.719
down the street and I found out that an AI center was being built through an Instagram comment. I can walk in about 2 minutes to that construction site. There it has to happen now. Just as how quickly all this construction and all this chaos is happening is how quickly

284
01:21:02.719 --> 01:21:18.159
we have to put out that fire. Just like you said with firemen, they can't just show up when they want. like it needs to happen now. It needed to happen yesterday to be honest. And there's there's people who there's go to Satan Hall, go to any school and just ask some political students if they want to

285
01:21:18.159 --> 01:21:34.640
volunteer their time to bridge the gap so there isn't so much aggression. Once that confusion is mitigated, people can really speak their voice. You can speak your voice. We can speak their voice. But right now, we feel silenced. We feel confused. And we feel like we're being stabbed in the back. And I don't feel

286
01:21:34.640 --> 01:22:14.960
that way. This is my first time engaging in politics in this way. I'm still young. I want to trust the system. I want to trust you guys. So, thank you. Hi, my name is Tinu Dvich. I hail from bordering Springfield. And I have some concerns. As of December 2025,

287
01:22:14.960 --> 01:22:30.960
Cororeweave is $21 billion in debt. That's billion with a B in debt. That's the 2022 GDP of all of Ocean County, New Jersey. Cororee needs to pay off one Ocean County, New Jersey. 39 of their 39% of their operating cash flow is spent just paying off interest to that

288
01:22:30.960 --> 01:22:48.000
debt. 67% of their revenue comes from one customer, Microsoft. All their eggs are in one basket. Coreweave works by using Nvidia manufactured uh chips to rent out storage space on the cloud, including cloud-based AI. They don't make anything. This is their first data

289
01:22:48.000 --> 01:23:03.360
center they're building from scratch. We're the guinea pigs. What would happen if your biggest customer, Microsoft, made a technological breakthrough called Maya 200 that enables them to provide their own cloud-based AI services much more efficiently and cheaply than Corewave can. Well, this happened. The

290
01:23:03.360 --> 01:23:18.560
test run with several data centers in De Mo, Iowa, and it was so successful that the data center cluster of Phoenix, Arizona is next. And from there, eventually everyone will be buying from Microsoft until the next innovation, and so on and so forth. Seems a bit un unsustainable for Corewave, doesn't it?

291
01:23:18.560 --> 01:23:34.560
I'm delivering this information early to you before Corore's goweave goes belly up. Corweave's very own shareholders are suing them for overpromising. The people who trusted Cororeweave with their life savings are telling you it didn't work out. The people who trust

292
01:23:34.560 --> 01:23:50.639
Why would you trust Cororeeve with your life savings in that case? Letting Cororee into Kennallorth is the equivalent of putting your life savings into the trusting hands of a gambling addict. I want to point out to two recent examples of AI data center construction. Not the final product, just the construction wrecking the environment of and lives of everyday

293
01:23:50.639 --> 01:24:06.719
people. One in Morgan County, Georgia, and a new disaster zone in Mason County, West Virginia. Please look those up. The town council of both those places did not anticipate that allowing their data center into their town would draw headlines for all the wrong reasons. You still have time to stop it. Uh but

294
01:24:06.719 --> 01:24:21.920
surely it won't happen here. Corweave has a closed loop water system that according to our mayor uses zero water and exclusively glycol. Well, according to Oprah, Corweave is feeding our mayor talking points. And if you go back and watch the October 15th town council meeting, according to the representative

295
01:24:21.920 --> 01:24:37.520
from Corweave, water, quote, "Water will be flowed through the servers and over the chips." The company is feeding the mayor uh uh talking points that are not factual in order to appease legitimate concerns from the public. Think about that. They're making fools out of you.

296
01:24:37.520 --> 01:24:53.280
Sorry, I lost my place. Oh no, my thing is glitching. Anyway, um I also want to concern I also want to address something about the car factory analogy. Um in the UK it turned out that uh the data center companies lied to the whole country. Surprise surprise. And um

297
01:24:53.280 --> 01:25:08.960
the carbon footprint of the data centers was overestimated and it was the equivalent of the carbon footprint of 22 million people. That's the size of Australia. So to equated to car factories is just not accurate. It's the size of everyone in Australia driving a

298
01:25:08.960 --> 01:25:32.080
car, everyone in Australia doing everything. you know the Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Janice Bzowski and I'm uh I live like two seconds from my from here on 23rd Street. Uh I want just want to make

299
01:25:32.080 --> 01:25:47.360
two comments. One was there was a mention of uh we don't know what the state is going to help us with uh as far as electric and water and you know any other expenses that we might incur.

300
01:25:47.360 --> 01:26:03.360
Wasn't that part of your due diligence before you applied for that? >> We're not going to incur any expenses from this project. Corweave is 100% responsible to pay >> bill is supposed to go up. >> In fact, Corweave is actually actually

301
01:26:03.360 --> 01:26:22.239
putting $150 million to upgrade our grid. They're paying for all of the upgrades for that. >> Corweave is paying for that. Okay. >> The second thing I want to make a comment on is it was sort of alluded to

302
01:26:22.239 --> 01:26:40.560
that because outoftowners were here. It was a bad thing. I think it's a good thing because all the people that are in the surrounding area and in Union County are as concerned as Kennallorth's residents. And I think there's a lot of

303
01:26:40.560 --> 01:26:59.440
Kennworth residents here. So, I'm just letting That's the This is my first Kennworth council meeting. And um >> welcome. >> And uh my first time I've I'm in this uh uh room. And um I was sort of on the

304
01:26:59.440 --> 01:27:13.920
fence with this AI thing until I started doing some research. And let me tell you, I'm not I'm not happy about doing it. um about this data center. It should be out in some boonies somewhere away

305
01:27:13.920 --> 01:27:38.960
from residential areas. Um I think AI is here to stay. I'm sorry, but I think it is. Uh and that's all I have to really say. >> And not all data centers are created equally. >> ANYONE ELSE?

306
01:27:41.440 --> 01:27:58.320
HI, MY NAME IS ARLA. I'M A 70 year resident of Tower. So, I want to talk about um the soil sampling. >> The soil sampling was done on Ketude Avenue >> and Ashwood Avenue and it was said last time no one knew why they were doing it,

307
01:27:58.320 --> 01:28:14.239
>> right? >> Okay. So, the reason they're doing it is because they're going to bury electrical cables. >> Okay. And they needed to know did they need to put them in concrete for plastic. >> Okay. And it's going to go through from

308
01:28:14.239 --> 01:28:31.440
phase two and beyond ashes. >> So what PSEG told me is that it is there is no plan for this right now. They're they are doing research for the possibility of the future. Not that this

309
01:28:31.440 --> 01:28:48.080
is happening now. that that's for the future. That is not something they're doing right now. They are testing the soil that I'm aware of. And this came right from PSCG to me. That this is a this is for future exploration.

310
01:28:48.080 --> 01:29:03.040
>> Possibly possibly not that it is ever going to happen. This is what he told me >> because there's a lot of wildlife in that area. >> I know. I'm very concerned. And I did speak to to PSNG about the wildlife that lives there.

311
01:29:03.040 --> 01:29:30.000
I do know I care about wildlife. >> Hello. Um, my name is Jackson. I'm from Westfield. It took me 5 minutes to get here by car. Uh, Mr. tomorrow. You said that you believe that the AI thing is like trying

312
01:29:30.000 --> 01:29:47.320
to stop a a wave with your hands and you can't do it. Um, I don't know how many ways we're going to have if so many of our elected public officials just roll over and die when it comes to standing up against things that destroy our environment.

313
01:29:50.560 --> 01:30:07.120
You are all sitting in positions of power where you do have something you can do. And I'm tired of you guys deferring back to separation of powers. I know there are things that you can and cannot do. But a lot of us are confused and just want answers. And every time it seems that someone asks a question, all

314
01:30:07.120 --> 01:30:23.280
you say is, "We're working on it. Two weeks. Give it some time. We're working on it. We've talked to PSENG." What did PS&G say? What did any of them say? We just want answers. That's all we want. I'm a concerned citizen. I don't want to see the state that I grew up in

315
01:30:23.280 --> 01:30:40.159
destroyed just because the sitting officials are all going to Nope. We can't stop it. We can't stop it. Yes, you can. If every single person around the country says, "Oh, we can't stop it. Everybody, the wave's moving." Then the wave's not going to stop. The only way we can stop the wave is by

316
01:30:40.159 --> 01:30:58.320
coming together and standing up against some like this. >> Thank you. THANK YOU. UH JARED, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION? He's leaving. I'm just curious if you were as upset that a pharmaceutical plant was there.

317
01:30:58.320 --> 01:31:22.719
Beg the question. >> I'm just I'm cur I'm really curious. >> Is that curiosity? >> Okay. My name is Barbara Wellness. I am from Westfield and I am deeply concerned about >> I'm very concerned about the AI data

318
01:31:22.719 --> 01:31:39.520
center. I think you guys are completely ignoring the impact to the environment. Do you remember a few years back when there was the fires in Canada? >> Sure do. >> We could smell it here. >> So if you think the pollution from a

319
01:31:39.520 --> 01:31:54.000
data center here isn't going to impact me in Westfield, >> you're delusional. I like to get outside and go for walks. I get asthma if there's pollution in the air.

320
01:31:54.000 --> 01:32:10.960
So, this impacts me. We're being told we've got to preserve water. I don't believe that this AI data center isn't going to tap into our water. I've done research as well. It's going to impact the noise. It's going to impact light. It's going to impact the water. It's

321
01:32:10.960 --> 01:32:29.120
going to impact the flora and fauna. It's going to impact people. >> Can I Can I say something about the light? This is an existing building. The lighting is already there. There will be no additional lighting. Then what is already there? None. And I know you

322
01:32:29.120 --> 01:32:44.639
don't want to hear about the water, but once they fill this, they will not be tapping into our water. >> They will not be tapping in. based on what we're seeing in other data centers. >> The only time the generators are going to run is if there's a major power

323
01:32:44.639 --> 01:33:03.520
outage and that will be until it's fixed. They're not running this data center on generators. >> I do. I do. >> How many people here have toured a data center and gone inside? Cuz I have. >> Okay.

324
01:33:03.520 --> 01:33:19.120
>> Ma'am, I'm sorry. Thank you. She can finish speaking >> and you say that you don't have the opportunity to make a difference that you can't control what the state does. You have an opportunity to make a difference for this community, for Union County, for the state. This is the

325
01:33:19.120 --> 01:33:33.920
Garden State. >> That's your job. >> If you keep putting in things that destroy the Garden State, then we have no more garden stain. That rests on your shoulders. use your position of power,

326
01:33:33.920 --> 01:33:50.560
the trust that your constituents put in you to do what is best for this community and not just look at the financial impact that apparently isn't even clearly mapped out yet. It seems like this is moving you're you're putting the cart before the horse

327
01:33:50.560 --> 01:34:14.159
instead of the other way around. >> Thank you. Uh, my name is Owen Sinowitz. I live in Cranford and I did Boy Scouts for a long time and there are several mayor badges where I had to come to town hall meetings and I know that they're supposed to be empty. So, the biggest

328
01:34:14.159 --> 01:34:29.360
indicator that you've screwed up is that this room is packed. You know that, but you don't even seem none of you seem capable of entertaining the idea that you've messed up in some way. And I think that's ridiculous. I mean, look, I know you're stubborn. That's why the health department had to ban you from calling. That's why the owner of Embelly

329
01:34:29.360 --> 01:34:45.520
has a restraining order against you. But you know, you can change your mind. I didn't hear that. Did you repeat that? >> Yeah. The owner of Ambelli, Crystal, >> the owner of what? >> Ambelli, the Greek restaurant. >> No, it's not true at all. >> Yeah. What happened? >> It's not true at all.

330
01:34:45.520 --> 01:35:02.560
>> What are What are you insinuating? >> Uh, yeah. He told me he has a restraining order because >> he does not have a restraining order. That's not true at all. >> From who? >> We're friends, actually. That's funny. So, this is another ugly rumor. It's another ugly rumor. So, if you're going to come here and you want to hear facts

331
01:35:02.560 --> 01:35:19.120
like you're asking us, get your facts straight because you know what? That's that's pretty muchism and that is inappropriate and it's absolutely untrue. I am actually friends with him. So, wherever wherever you are

332
01:35:19.120 --> 01:35:34.960
hearing your information is not correct. So you should you should correct. The fact is he was upset with the protesters who were scaring his patrons from coming in. I'm sorry. That protest was before

333
01:35:34.960 --> 01:35:50.480
they were over to do with us. It had to do with the protesters who were blocking a public side. That's not what I'm talking about. >> But you brought it up and if I didn't address it, that would have been the next rumor. So don't say things that are

334
01:35:50.480 --> 01:36:07.360
inappropriate or incorrect. We're trying to give everybody the facts and when we have them, we share them. You may not like it, but we're sharing it. >> You really are. >> It seems like nobody has access to any of these and you keep saying they're on the way.

335
01:36:07.360 --> 01:36:21.840
>> I'm confused. >> Nobody Nobody has any facts. Everyone's confused. You know, a lot of people are also confused because there's plenty of people that have put the right information out on social media and they this information

336
01:36:21.840 --> 01:36:38.960
is deleted over and over. So, there's a lot of people that are filled with a lot of propaganda that don't want to listen to the facts. And I've seen it. >> Okay. >> Right. Well, in any event, I've seen nothing but disdain from all of you. So, I don't believe you actually do care

337
01:36:38.960 --> 01:37:05.800
about this town. And I believe you can change your mind. You can stop this. And you know that and you know you screwed up because everybody is here. So I don't know why you won't accept that. And do something and do your goddamn job. >> We are. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public?

338
01:37:08.880 --> 01:37:26.040
Good evening. Uh Jimmy Matthews from Rosal Park lives >> Good evening. >> a lot closer to the data center site than probably most of the Kennor's residents. Um >> I'm sure I'm con

339
01:37:26.800 --> 01:37:42.480
>> I'm concerned about this idea that I have heard in these discussions that elected officials once elected have license to take action on behalf of the town in accordance with their own

340
01:37:42.480 --> 01:37:59.119
personal feelings about various policy issues. That's technically what the public kind of comes to expect. But that that's bottom of the barrel democracy. Democracy is really supposed to be about representation, right? A a responsible

341
01:37:59.119 --> 01:38:16.719
public servant is going to balance their conception, their personal opinions about things with their duty to represent their constituents, which means you have to assess their interests and their values and act on behalf of those. That's the only reason we don't

342
01:38:16.719 --> 01:38:32.639
have direct democracy because the representation is supposed to be through the elected officials. It's not, oh, the only recourse to the public is, well, they'll get voted out. That that's not how it's supposed to be. I urge you to consider your responsibility. Take it a

343
01:38:32.639 --> 01:38:50.719
little more seriously. This is a pretty substantial group of people and it's it's truly not just propaganda. Think about it. It's I mean, do the research. Certainly there's propaganda floating around on all sides, but this is not a

344
01:38:50.719 --> 01:39:08.080
situation where oh the public is in some kind of mass hysteria. It's really more like history repeating itself over and over where large national business and international business interests are taking advantage of a small town. And you guys have the power to stop that like many other speakers here have said

345
01:39:08.080 --> 01:39:33.360
and at least in this small context. Please consider that. >> Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. Tommy Senowitz from Cranford. Uh so many things, but one thing I would like to bring up from the last meeting,

346
01:39:33.360 --> 01:39:49.760
uh Mr. tomorrow mentioned at the very end about look at all the data centers in Virginia and tell me what problems they've had. So I did and what problems do they have? High electricity bills, water usage,

347
01:39:49.760 --> 01:40:06.480
uh all the same things that people are worried about happening here are happening there. >> You saw the county tax rate also went down, right, in all the research that you saw. >> No, because I wasn't looking. >> Well, no, it's not all about the money. It's just that there's community benefit from these things. And I I will I will

348
01:40:06.480 --> 01:40:21.760
also say that nobody when you're talking from the phones about the horror stories and the things that I don't know are deep fakes or not. Good. First time that thought came into my mind, but they're all coming from West Virginia, from Utah, from Georgia. I'm not here in Northern Virginia. They've got

349
01:40:21.760 --> 01:40:36.560
>> they closed. They there are more hypers scale centers in Northern Virginia than anywhere else in the world. and they have plans for more and they have the power capacity to do it. >> I sent the the mayor and you an email after that meeting

350
01:40:36.560 --> 01:40:53.920
>> with some links to valid uh >> I saw the opinion pieces that you sent. Yes. >> Yeah. And it's not crazy people saying that. >> Okay. Well, >> it's people like you that are con well maybe like you. I don't know. It's people who are concerned about the environment there and do not want those

351
01:40:53.920 --> 01:41:10.320
things there and they got screwed because they got them built anyway. And that's what we're trying to prevent here. So, I just really wish you know all of you that have a say in any of this. If you feel like you're getting over your heads or you made a mistake, maybe you you should have voted for it or

352
01:41:10.320 --> 01:41:26.719
whatever. >> I'm sure you don't make mistakes, but you know, >> I don't know why you you're all thinking for us and thank you for that. I'm listening. I appreciate the >> comment that maybe >> I've I've been called I don't know what the last person said we were. Uh something with a D. I mean all these

353
01:41:26.719 --> 01:41:42.679
words. We're wrong. We're this. We're that. We're volunteers doing our jobs. We're elected officials that are representing the people of Kennorth. >> Are you from Kennallorth? We're representing the people of Kennorth. There's community benefit for the people of Kennorth.

354
01:41:44.080 --> 01:42:00.480
The gentleman FROM THE gentleman from Cranford. you like to talk >> down. >> Let's let's get >> I agree with a lot of that. But I'm just saying, you know, sometimes you go with the crowd or you think this is a great

355
01:42:00.480 --> 01:42:16.000
idea and then after a while you realize that's not such a great idea. But if I say I made a mistake or whatever, >> I'm never going to let it down. I think you guys ought to really look in the mirror and look in your hearts and decide is this really worth because

356
01:42:16.000 --> 01:42:31.800
>> you're not going to and I hope that you're not going to just get more people from Kennaworth here but people from everywhere in this state and this county >> because this is like affecting everyone. So that's my say for tonight. Kennorth show up.

357
01:42:37.040 --> 01:42:56.159
Anyone else from the public wishing to speak? >> Hi, good evening. My name is Lillian. I just have a question. Mayor, when are you up for reelection? >> Next year.

358
01:42:56.159 --> 01:43:12.560
>> Next year. Mr. Mororrow? >> Yes. >> Are you planning to move? >> No. >> Mayor, are you planning to move? No. Uh, councilwoman, are you planning to move? >> Why are you asking me a personal question?

359
01:43:12.560 --> 01:43:28.400
>> And if this has to do with the data center, this has to do with the city. >> Ask that question. >> Are you planning to move in November? >> If you >> are you planning to move in November? >> I'm not I'm not running for office in November. >> Okay. So, you're leaving here because obviously where >> there's a re I don't know where you're

360
01:43:28.400 --> 01:43:44.159
leaving, but you're leaving. >> You No, you know this. We know this. >> No, you asked me if I was running for office. I didn't ask you if you're running for office. I said, "Are you moving?" >> Why would you ask the mayor and another councilman? Are they moving? Are you moving next year? >> No, I'm not. >> Okay. >> Are you moving?

361
01:43:44.159 --> 01:43:58.800
>> It's none of your business in November. >> It's none of your business. >> Why would you Can you answer me? >> Why in November? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> What about tomorrow? >> What about I've been living here I've been living here 31 years.

362
01:43:58.800 --> 01:44:15.679
31 years I've been living in the same house and now you're moving. >> So what are you getting at? >> Okay. You >> you want me to I mean it's pretty obvious what I'm getting at. >> I don't I don't understand. It's not obvious at all. >> Okay.

363
01:44:15.679 --> 01:44:30.080
>> Maybe it is to you. >> All right. Well, you you obviously think that we're all idiots, obviously. But you know what? You don't know that a lot of people are working behind the scenes. We're getting information. And we're getting facts. We're not going to

364
01:44:30.080 --> 01:44:46.239
>> so say we're not gonna stay quiet about this. We're going to keep >> answer your facts. >> We're going to keep coming. We're going to keep asking the questions. We we are on this. You We don't go home and go. >> My personal life has nothing to do with

365
01:44:46.239 --> 01:45:01.679
you. >> Okay. Whatever. >> What I do here as a council woman as I I do my job and I do it well. >> So in December, we'll check. In December, we'll check what's going to happen. >> Excuse me. >> I didn't hear what you just said. Give

366
01:45:01.679 --> 01:45:18.480
me the opportunity. Those are all my questions. >> Uh, Mr. Piper, you were just elected, right? Again. >> No. >> No. >> Mr. Scores, >> that's what happens when you're not accountable. >> It doesn't matter what's going on with this. >> You're what? Your decisions are

367
01:45:18.480 --> 01:45:35.440
affecting my livelihood. That's why I'm here. >> About the elected officials of a town you don't vote in. So, YOU'RE ASKING THE PANEL FOR ME. NO, IT DOESN'T MATTER. It's a It's a Union County issue and I can ask all the questions I want because it's affecting me. I live closer TO THAT

368
01:45:35.440 --> 01:45:50.400
MONSTROSITY THAN ALL of her when he was elected or the council woman where she lives. What is the point? >> So, it's on the record so we know. >> Okay. >> Mr. Score for re-election. >> I was reelected.

369
01:45:50.400 --> 01:46:11.920
>> Okay. All right. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. All right. Thank you. Anyone else from the public? >> Anyone else? >> Okay, seeing no one, I'd like a motion to close the floor for public

370
01:46:11.920 --> 01:46:31.440
discussion. >> How are you, Marcelo? I live in Union. Um, won't get my address, but I spoke to you guys last time. Hope you guys are doing well. >> Thank you. >> Um I you guys could just take a deep breath. I'm not going to come at your throats like some people are here.

371
01:46:31.440 --> 01:46:48.400
Again, my mother lives like across the street basically from where this data center is going to be. We're not Kennorth voters, but my favorite Thai restaurant's across the street. I go to the gym and at Golden Phoenix CrossFit. Love the love the people in Kennorth. I have a lot of friends. I know the people in the police department that go there

372
01:46:48.400 --> 01:47:06.400
and all that. But uh I hope you just hear us out cuz I don't want I really don't want to be here also like I want to enjoy this is what days I usually play soccer on Wednesdays. So these are two soccer games that I've missed to be here to express my opinion and um yeah

373
01:47:06.400 --> 01:47:22.400
uh what I wanted to say also was that kind of that I I read a really good book and I think you guys would appreciate it. It's called You have More Influence than You Think by uh Angela Duckworth. can't remember, maybe it was someone else, but um that kind of comment about when when there's a wave of stuff

374
01:47:22.400 --> 01:47:39.119
happening and and you kind of having you can either succumb to the wave, you could raise your hand to it or you could eat it, right? Like maybe maybe it won't stop it, but you kind of ride waves, >> right? Yeah, you could ride it, but there's sometimes there's some waves that you don't want to ride, right? Like I don't know, there's a really good picture. I don't know if you've seen

375
01:47:39.119 --> 01:47:55.600
that photo. Uh, in World War II in Nazi Germany, there was a sea of people with their hands raised giving the Nazi salute. And there was one man in that crowd that did not put his hand up. What he could do is tell his

376
01:47:55.600 --> 01:48:11.280
grandchildren that he didn't do that he didn't raise his hand amongst a sea of other people. a seed. There is power that you have. That man is like one of us, right? He's just a

377
01:48:11.280 --> 01:48:28.239
regular dude. He risked his life, right? And we're talking about it today, all these years later, which is pretty cool. And we're all here now. This is kind of like the opposite, right? We are all with our hands down. Not to draw a bad, you know, parallel here, but you know

378
01:48:28.239 --> 01:48:44.480
where I'm getting at, right? Uh we see you guys as on the bad side of history and we as your constituents or nextdoor neighbors. I'd grab a beer with you if you want. Uh like I we don't have to be your voters for our opinions to matter because uh this is uh this is an

379
01:48:44.480 --> 01:48:59.440
official this is an issue that affects us all. And even if it is hogwatch, right? What if what if what if we're all wrong that the water's going to be fine and all this is going to be good and AI is going to be great. It's going to solve cancer. At the end of the day, it's not your job to make that call.

380
01:48:59.440 --> 01:49:17.280
It's your job to listen to us. And we're saying no. And if it's not your voters, it's your uh it's your neighbors. And I would love to be your friends in like if you guys change your mind on this, we'll go grab a beer right after this. But um I really

381
01:49:17.280 --> 01:49:44.960
really really really really hope you reconsider this cuz this is going to affect us all. Thank you. >> Thank you. WE can't grab a beer if we don't agree. >> Please go ahead. >> Hi, I'm Courtney. I'm currently living in Kennallorth. Um, I was here two weeks

382
01:49:44.960 --> 01:50:00.800
ago with my son and I had to leave after he was crying and so but I did watch the whole meeting on YouTube. I want to say first like thank you to everyone who's showing up and speaking and like standing up for this. Like you're making me so proud. And I was sitting at my

383
01:50:00.800 --> 01:50:15.600
computer clapping. So like please keep showing up. And you know, my husband finally got home from work today and I got uh got here um as soon as I could to just kind of follow up a little bit because after

384
01:50:15.600 --> 01:50:31.760
during that meeting I I felt like I was looking at like human beings like even right now like I feel like I'm talking to people who are like like good people like who are receptive and like want to do the right thing but then when I hear

385
01:50:31.760 --> 01:50:47.360
like the way that you respond to people or just just what's not being done after hearing everything that everyone's saying. It it makes me feel like well are you just swindling like people like me who are like see the good in people and like want to believe that like you

386
01:50:47.360 --> 01:51:04.320
care and but the actual action to back that up is not is not like being shown. And so the next night um I saw an article from the patch that said that the master plan was being halted. Um, so

387
01:51:04.320 --> 01:51:20.400
I need a little clarity because I've heard from people that the master plan has nothing to do with the data center. Is that true? >> You have to speak. That's of the planning board. So we're not the governing body for the planning board. They're their own >> board. >> You can you can watch the whole meeting

388
01:51:20.400 --> 01:51:35.600
on YouTube as well, >> right? >> That's also televised. So you could see the whole meeting, the dialogue and everything. >> Okay. So that was published the night after the meeting that we were all at two weeks ago on a Tuesday uh Wednesday

389
01:51:35.600 --> 01:51:52.159
night. Um so I assumed cuz uh the gentleman who was quoted his last name was Pacero. So I'm assuming that's your husband cuz I know he's also local politics. >> So he said he was quoted saying you know we heard you don't think we didn't hear

390
01:51:52.159 --> 01:52:07.040
you. I wrote down everything that you said. So and it was directly about the data centers. So that reassured me and I said I knew that I felt that there was like genuine people who who care and are

391
01:52:07.040 --> 01:52:21.920
listening. Like how could you how could you not listen? I mean like this has been going on for months now. So um why why did what does that mean? Like I know that that's the planning board but I guess you know he's also >> I think you should reserve your

392
01:52:21.920 --> 01:52:37.840
questions for the next planning board meeting. But if you go on the website, everybody's email address is there. You can send an email >> and I'll get an email back. >> You you could also view the entire meeting. They're televised like hours. I

393
01:52:37.840 --> 01:52:55.000
mean recorded like >> I just before my time is up, I really just want to say like if there is anything you do to put any parameters on this project, like please step in and please. >> Thank you. Thank you.

394
01:52:58.159 --> 01:53:19.679
Anyone else from the public? >> Bob, you can't come up again. >> I'm sorry. >> You can't speak again. >> With all due respect, Bob, listen. Do your homework before you make a statement. violates my unless you have

395
01:53:19.679 --> 01:53:36.880
a policy in place which I open it and it wasn't provided but it didn't state that I'm only allowed once at a meeting so please don't violate my first amendment I have too much respect >> it's Robert's rules of order Robert

396
01:53:36.880 --> 01:53:52.960
>> in the rules of order in your in your bylaws the attorney >> do we have that in the bylaws the Robert's rules of order >> where is it Robert's rules of order >> it's in That's actually >> is it in the >> the uh >> is it in the bylaws? >> Answer this question.

397
01:53:52.960 --> 01:54:10.239
>> It it it has routinely been the policy of from the very beginning uh of the this governing body to have them speak one one time. Mayor, >> yes. >> And it's a violation of the first amendment. You can't do that. >> Well, it No, it's not a violation of the

398
01:54:10.239 --> 01:54:25.280
first amendment. >> I researched it. it. You could have an unwritten policy as long as it's it's applied universally. Um, >> please multiple times, >> right? We're not going to speak multiple times.

399
01:54:25.280 --> 01:54:39.440
>> We're not going to we're not going to speak >> because I have respect for you guys. >> Thank you. Someday someday maybe I can win you over and you can give me the same respect. >> Thank you. >> I would really appreciate that. But I'll reserve my question.

400
01:54:39.440 --> 01:55:01.199
>> THANK YOU. I WASN'T GOING TO DO THIS, but Bob, you want to hear everybody come up and speak again? >> Are you address the council? >> Okay. Uh, my name is Paula Drogan. I live in Kettleorth.

401
01:55:01.199 --> 01:55:18.239
>> Um, I just want to thank all the mayor the mayor and all of the council that have to put up with all this stuff. And believe me, they don't make a lot of money, so they should be making a lot more than they do. To put up with this, I appreciate it. Um, I

402
01:55:18.239 --> 01:55:36.480
I'm shocked at the abuse and disrespect that is coming from most of these people. Um, >> again, excuse me, she has the floor. >> So, I just thank you. Um, I know that you are all doing the best

403
01:55:36.480 --> 01:55:52.000
you can. If you could stop it, you probably would stop it. I don't think you can stop it. The people bought the property, their building. It's It's really out of the mayor and council's hands, although you can do your restrictions, I would guess. But I thank you. My mayor shouldn't be abused,

404
01:55:52.000 --> 01:56:17.679
threatened with her life and her business um picketed because of something that is already done. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> It's not already done. There's no redevelopment agreement. Please keep it down. Other troopers

405
01:56:17.679 --> 01:56:44.400
trying to speak. >> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hi, good evening. My name is >> please >> Rosa Joseph. I live in Elizabeth. I just want to again I want to let everyone

406
01:56:44.400 --> 01:57:01.920
know that nobody in this group went to pick any business in Cranford. We were not part of that group. Again, we have to say because it keeps on being brought up. We're very respectful people. We know to bring it here only. We're not going to go to anybody's home. We don't

407
01:57:01.920 --> 01:57:18.639
harass anyone. We don't care where you live. We don't care. We just we are very concerned about this data center because I know the harm is going to do to our communities. Um I think people who don't understand they should do some research.

408
01:57:18.639 --> 01:57:34.560
They go online. There's plenty of information on what how data centers work and do not work. And again, I respect everybody here. I just hope that you do the right thing for the people in Kennallorth and the surrounding areas because it affects us all. I'm here in

409
01:57:34.560 --> 01:57:49.920
Kennallorth more than I am in Elizabeth. I shop here. I don't shop in Elizabeth because it's more convenient. I like the people. I like the the environment in Kennorth. I almost moved here. My sister lived here. So, I love this this town.

410
01:57:49.920 --> 01:58:06.639
Uh, so I I I hate to think of what's going to happen and the damage it's going to do to our children and and children's children. And it's time to to make make a stand and and stop this. It's not about political parties left or right. I'm a Republican.

411
01:58:06.639 --> 01:58:21.840
So I can tell you that I'm totally against this. I don't care what Trump says. I don't care if he's pushing this thing. I have a voice and I have my own opinions and I'm not with him. So something right needs to be done about

412
01:58:21.840 --> 01:58:37.360
this. We need to stop. If one town says no to this, another town will say no to this. And vice versa. It's going to happen over and over again. We have the power to do this. And again, to the mayor, I'm sorry for what happened to

413
01:58:37.360 --> 01:58:53.040
you in Cranford. It wasn't called for people picketing by the business is is incorrect. It's wrong. It's morally wrong. And we we should only be doing this here where where where it matters and where it belongs. Thank you.

414
01:58:53.040 --> 01:59:18.000
>> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Katie. I've been a Kennaworth resident for 6 years and we just spent 2 hours talking about all the terrible things that a data AI center is going to create for our community now.

415
01:59:18.000 --> 01:59:34.719
Mayor, you mentioned that you've toured a uh AI center before. >> I have. >> All right. So, I guess you could explain to us how a resident like myself would be able to benefit from this being built. I I I You're asking me to have a 20

416
01:59:34.719 --> 01:59:49.119
minute conversation with you. >> You have two minutes. >> There's >> I I I don't have two minutes. You have three minutes. >> Okay. >> So, you're refusing to answer. >> We have We have discussed >> refusing to answer my question.

417
01:59:49.119 --> 02:00:05.599
>> Okay. We have discussed over and over. We've addressed the water. We've addressed the pollution. We've addressed the electric. But it doesn't want nobody wants to hear that. Okay. >> I would like to hear it. I would love to hear how I as a resident of Kennorth

418
02:00:05.599 --> 02:00:21.760
would be benefiting from this. >> You're there's there's no reason not to benefit from it. >> Can you please I stood outside a data center and didn't hear noise. Okay. There's there's data centers online and there's this hum in this bright light.

419
02:00:21.760 --> 02:00:38.000
Well, they're running on generators. Full generators. And yeah, there's hum. That is not what's happening here in Kennoworth. Okay? They have their own electric grid. They are not tapping into our electric grid at all. Okay? And

420
02:00:38.000 --> 02:00:54.480
they're not using water. I know we have said this over and over. They are not using water. There is also no burn off and no emissions. There's no carbon that's going to be released into the air. >> Perfect. Mayor Mayor um >> that's up to Core Weeb to reduce

421
02:00:54.480 --> 02:01:11.440
Corweave needs to reduce the uh release the studies and they will >> Perfect. Thank you for Thank you for that. >> Thank you. Uh can you please list some benefits please? Uh for a resident like myself. >> Tax ratables for one. Do you pay taxes?

422
02:01:11.440 --> 02:01:26.960
>> Who cares about them? >> Well, do you pay tax? >> I personally >> do you pay property tax? So, yeah. To give you that, you should understand. Were you at the last meeting when we talked about the the Okay. Well, we talked about how we went from a $400 a year increase three years

423
02:01:26.960 --> 02:01:43.679
ago to having this construction being done on site and having the permit fees and the new ratables and we had a tax increase of under $80 now. And then the county's actually given some money back to everybody. So you have a less than $80 tax increase in the count in in in the burrow of Kennorth when three four

424
02:01:43.679 --> 02:02:00.400
years ago we had a I don't know $800 $900 tax increase. So when you talk about the community the impact on the people who live here can I just say one more thing >> you had to fund when you're telling me

425
02:02:00.400 --> 02:02:14.800
that >> when my mother has asthma >> you're telling me to care about money. telling you that there's no emissions from this project, but you're not listening to them. >> Why do you keep interrupting everyone?

426
02:02:14.800 --> 02:02:34.480
YOU HAD TIME TO TALK. >> ANYONE ELSE from the public? >> Lie down. Someone else wants to speak. Come on. >> Um, hi everyone. My name is Far. I am a resident of Mount. I've lived here since I was 5 years old. I went to Harding

427
02:02:34.480 --> 02:02:49.840
Elementary School. I went to David Brley and I recently graduated college and um I work at a pharmaceutical plant actually. So I know you mentioned before to that young gentleman from Westfield Jackson how um having a pharmaceutical plant was sort of similar to having this data center.

428
02:02:49.840 --> 02:03:04.880
>> That's not what I said. I asked him if he was concerned when there was a chem a pharmaceutical plant. >> Okay. Okay. Perfect. >> It's a question. All right. Everybody's putting words in our mouths. We should go back to this woman OVER HERE PHONED ME FOR ABOUT FOUR LINES of what I said at the last meeting.

429
02:03:04.880 --> 02:03:20.800
>> You don't do that. You ask us a question or say something and we talk it keeps running. >> She made a misstatement. What can I say? >> Okay. But you were comparing it sort of. You were trying to ask if he was concerned about either, right? >> What's your point? >> So, I just want to say that I don't know if you've heard of the big beautiful

430
02:03:20.800 --> 02:03:35.599
act. There's a lot of different >> The big beautiful act. Is that what you said? No, I haven't heard of it. >> I would look into it. It's definitely not the same as a pharmaceutical plant. They have to report to the FDA, the EPA. They also like they make life-saving

431
02:03:35.599 --> 02:03:52.800
medicine and AI data center doesn't exactly do that, right? >> Um, also Coreweee, I don't know if you know, but they currently have a federal fraud class action against them. So, a lot of your claims that you're saying that you are saying that, you know, Cororeweave hasn't published data yet. I

432
02:03:52.800 --> 02:04:07.679
remember there was one town meeting where you said that you got your source from Coreweave themselves. I don't really trust that because they have it currently a class action like for fraud against them. So, how can we believe that like what you're saying is true if

433
02:04:07.679 --> 02:04:24.639
you're getting it from Cororee? Listen, I have to rely on the experts and it isn't just Cororeweave. It's the engineers that are designing the build of this building and there's reports and yeah, I rely on those experts because I'm not an engineer like I think most

434
02:04:24.639 --> 02:04:39.679
people in this room probably are not. I am >> right. Okay. So then maybe you can take a look at them. Good for you. >> I like >> I've not heard of the pharmaceutical company not using AI, by the way. Right. So I I have not heard that I have not heard of a professional that's not

435
02:04:39.679 --> 02:04:54.639
>> like AI in particular is >> I mean let's not forget that Merc has had a um a data center running on that property for the last 20 plus years. >> And if we're going to keep getting told what we're saying we're not going to talk back. So if that's really what

436
02:04:54.639 --> 02:05:10.639
everybody wants to have happen that will be the result. Sir, how do you keep screaming out while everybody's talking? >> Okay. What statement did I >> All right. Okay. >> Okay. Someone has the floor. Would you like to continue? >> No, I apologize for misspeaking. Thank

437
02:05:10.639 --> 02:05:27.199
you for clarifying. I just assume that you're making like a comparison when you were asking him. Just I just want to clarify that. But yeah, so pharmaceutical plants do have a lot of regulations that AI data centers since they're relatively new, they don't has have as many regulations around them. So I just wanted So I just wanted to say

438
02:05:27.199 --> 02:05:43.760
that everyone's concerns are valid and you don't really see anyone coming here to highly support the data center, right? We did. We saw that just before everybody. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And by the way, those are people who live in Cal, which is very interesting.

439
02:05:43.760 --> 02:06:11.199
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Very many. Right. >> All right. Thank you. >> That's fine. >> That's fine. Okay. Anyone else from the public? Is there anyone else from the public wishing to speak? My name's Rebecca Davis. I live in

440
02:06:11.199 --> 02:06:26.960
Cranford, New Jersey. >> I didn't prepare any remarks. I just am responding in part to the tenor of the room and I just want I I have very deep concerns about the data center.

441
02:06:26.960 --> 02:06:43.679
>> I live very close. I've actually thought maybe I need to move. I have a daughter who is um she's got long COVID. She's got a lot of health issues and I don't want to expose her to anything more that is going to

442
02:06:43.679 --> 02:07:01.760
make things even worse. Um and I'm just asking you. I know that you that I feel like a sense that all of the concerns here are being dismissed or often dismissed. I'm just asking you please

443
02:07:01.760 --> 02:07:18.000
>> ignore the tenor, ignore the anger, >> and do what you can >> to consider whether you really have to go through with this. And if you do go through with it, how can you protect >> the community,

444
02:07:18.000 --> 02:07:34.000
the local community? I know I'm not from Kennworth, but I I'm I'm in your community. How can you make sure that we are not going to have problems with water with with air pollution with all

445
02:07:34.000 --> 02:07:50.480
of that? Will there be testing done? Can you make >> you know what kind they will hold them accountable to their agreements? I promise you that >> 100%. >> Thank you. >> Yes. We we've said this before, but the things that they tell us and they tell

446
02:07:50.480 --> 02:08:10.560
the planning board, if they don't live up to it, >> they have to remediate. You can shake your head no all you want, sir. The gentleman next to you shaking up and down cuz he actually works in the >> Anyone else? >> It must be remediated. >> Uh wish. >> Hi, my name is Marlo. I'm from Union.

447
02:08:10.560 --> 02:08:27.280
Right behind the data center, please >> guys. >> Sorry. Anyway, um the data center we know is already on the on the property and core brought it. Correct. As we all know, we're asking you >> the data center is not on the property.

448
02:08:27.280 --> 02:08:43.119
However, it they cirw purchased Merk's data data center is on the property. >> Okay. But you are >> it was actually subdivided actually off the campus, but yes, it's still running and exists. Yes, >> the cor in the current building >> it is

449
02:08:43.119 --> 02:09:00.880
>> there's a lot of there's 103 acres there and there's a lot of buildings on there. >> That is >> she's asking to I'm sorry ma'am but >> okay so the the answer is that what's there is allowed to already have the

450
02:09:00.880 --> 02:09:16.719
data center built in it. So what we're asking is the additional sublet where they are going to build more buildings to make the data center a super data center is what we're asking you guys to block on. Start with a data center. Let that run. Let's see how much electric it

451
02:09:16.719 --> 02:09:32.400
pulls how much water before you allow >> them to build the addition. >> There's no there's no there's no application for any additions. >> There's a the redevelopment plan is the addition. It's in there, >> but there's no there's no plan before us

452
02:09:32.400 --> 02:09:49.199
or the planning board for an addition to the sub to the data center. They're building they're building. >> They are there's no there's no application in front of us >> and they're also not the only um tenant

453
02:09:49.199 --> 02:10:06.480
on the campus. There is a lot of tenants on that campus. >> Again, it's an industrial park. It's these these are the types of operations one would expect at an industrial park. It's not a it's not a park where we go to play. It's an industrial park, right? >> It's a place where business they have in

454
02:10:06.480 --> 02:10:22.239
Cranford. They call it an industrial park and it's all either manufacturing >> and there's a data center there too. >> Data center >> and I I heard that the >> push factory is also becoming a data center off of one and nine. >> That's that's right in the list. All

455
02:10:22.239 --> 02:10:49.119
right, let's agree. We just don't want a super data set. That's what we're asking you. >> That's what I heard they're building over there. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> I don't know. Maybe maybe it hasn't hit TikTok yet. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi. Um, you may have said it before, but

456
02:10:49.119 --> 02:11:05.599
could you say it again? What's the benefit of having the daily scent? >> We have said it many times, ma'am. Many times. >> There's a a huge ratable benefit to Kennorth. There you go. A huge ratable

457
02:11:05.599 --> 02:11:24.320
benefit to Kennorth. >> Vibrancy of an economic area that you have in need of redevelopment. >> You don't need to see economic vibrancy. it becomes something that the community benefits from in the taxes and the

458
02:11:24.320 --> 02:11:40.480
community at large in the operations that are going on there. We're all using AI whether we like it or not. I I don't want to even get into that. It has its benefits on society. So, I mean, we could we could talk about the national security benefits that it would bring to Kennallorth even. I mean, there's a host

459
02:11:40.480 --> 02:11:56.079
of things that having a center like this in town would bring. We're getting told no and spoken over every time we say it. So, maybe that's why when we speak it's not being heard. But the tax ratables are a huge benefit to us and the economic vibrancy of an area that this council has deemed in need of

460
02:11:56.079 --> 02:12:12.000
redevelopment is also good. We saw that property vacant for way too long. We saw it as a threat to the taxpayers in Kennallorth for way too long. And I think that this is actually a good thing to see businesses moving in to what was a vacant piece of property. So that's

461
02:12:12.000 --> 02:12:27.760
that's the benefits, at least the way that I'm seeing them. Uh and you know, fair fair you say it every time we have a meeting. I'm the chairman of the finance committee. So that's the lens that I want to look at this through. I'm also a Kennorth resident and I do want to see a vibrant economic community in

462
02:12:27.760 --> 02:12:44.239
the place that I live. I don't want to see ble. I don't want to see empty buildings. I don't want to have to hear. >> And um listen, >> you know where I travel. I go to Five Points all the time. I'm passing by. >> All right. Okay. Okay. All right. >> That's fine. Why am I even talking to

463
02:12:44.239 --> 02:13:00.719
you? We need to stop interrupting the people that we are talking to because you asked a very good question. And I I I like the way that you did ask it. You were humble in it. You you were softspoken. The gentleman over there, Marcus, I believe Marcelo, I forgot what your name was. I'm sorry. You guys are asking questions the right way. You're

464
02:13:00.719 --> 02:13:16.800
not coming at us. We're able to have a conversation. And I'm sorry to use your time, but I want to thank you for the way that you approach this. And everybody else that did the same thing. >> Thank you. >> Um So I got a story.

465
02:13:16.800 --> 02:13:33.920
>> She has still She has 40 seconds. Quiet down. >> You may have to answer this survey, but for the old lady, >> um, are they going to pay taxes right off the bat or is it going to be 10 years from? >> They're going to pay taxes right off the

466
02:13:33.920 --> 02:13:50.000
bat. >> A lot of taxes. >> They own the property. They're paying taxes. >> You discount on tax. We are not giving them any discount. What the rumors that everybody is hearing about was a stated driven economic benefit for them. Not

467
02:13:50.000 --> 02:14:07.520
from Kennorth, not even from Union County. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public wish to speak? >> All right. Seeing no one, I'd like a motion to

468
02:14:07.520 --> 02:14:25.760
close the floor for public discussion. Thank you everybody for cooperating. >> Can someone second? >> Oh, motion made by Councilman Piper, seconded by Councilman. >> All right. You know, there's been a lot of conversation about um

469
02:14:25.760 --> 02:14:42.880
about where we how we got here and and I want to address some of that so that you know this we weren't transparent or that this just popped up. It didn't just pop up. And I want to assure everyone that the council and I remain committed to

470
02:14:42.880 --> 02:14:58.880
ensuring that coravee is held accountable throughout the remainder of this process. As Kennorth residents, we all deserve full transparency and we believe it's important that everyone continues to have the same information. The land at the former Merk site has

471
02:14:58.880 --> 02:15:15.199
been vacant since 2023. The empty property created a s a significant negative financial impact on our municipal budget, resulting in a significant loss of property tax revenue. I know there's many people concerned here uh from outside of

472
02:15:15.199 --> 02:15:31.760
Kennallorth who want to dictate what should or should not be on that property, but for Kennorth residents, returning this property to the tax roles is vital to stabilize our budget for police, fire, and municipal services and our schools. As a result, in early 2024,

473
02:15:31.760 --> 02:15:47.280
the bureau conducted a study to evaluate potential options for the future of this property. The findings of that study, which were presented at a public hearing two years ago on May 15th in 2024, determined that this site met the

474
02:15:47.280 --> 02:16:03.520
criteria to be designated as an area in need of redevelopment. This led our council to unanimously adopt a resolution to move forward with this designation. The redevelopment process has remained a top of topic of public discussion since that time. In September

475
02:16:03.520 --> 02:16:21.920
2024, the council adopted an ordinance to establish a redevelopment framework. The planning board subsequently reviewed several proposals for the vacant land, including from Cororeweave. The approval of Corweave's proposal was confirmed by the planning board on May 15, 2025,

476
02:16:21.920 --> 02:16:40.399
before being adopted on May 27, 2025. In several planning board and council meetings dating back to January of this year, we have held heard comments and concerns from our residents and have engaged in public discussions addressing our community's concerns. While most key

477
02:16:40.399 --> 02:16:57.280
approvals has been completed, there's still important steps ahead. Our council must consider the approval of a redevelopment with Corweave and we are continuing to work it. We are continuing to work through that process to ensure that our town and its residents are protected from many potential negative

478
02:16:57.280 --> 02:17:13.359
impacts this facility could introduce into our community. As your mayor, my responsibility is to advocate for the residents of Kennaworth and to sure any assure any business, big or small, serves the best interest of our town. I am committed to ensuring any project

479
02:17:13.359 --> 02:17:29.280
coming into our town complies with the state's environmental standards and addresses the safety, noise, and traffic concerns we all share. I am equally committed to working collaborately with our neighboring communities and holding core accountable so that we can reach an

480
02:17:29.280 --> 02:17:44.880
agreement that strengthens our local economy and minimizes negative impacts on residents quality of life. As we continue to me move forward, our focus will remain on transparency, community engagement, and accountability, ensuring

481
02:17:44.880 --> 02:18:05.040
the long-term well-being of our residents remain our highest priority. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, I'd like a motion to adjourn. >> Motion made by Councilman Mororrow, second by Councilman.

482
02:18:05.040 --> 02:18:35.639
>> All right. That was a great I know where Heat. Heat.

