[music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> That wasn't about to start. Thank you, >> Laura. The mayor's on mute [cough] [clears throat] legis and to the republic for which it stands.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Mayor Carloic, >> Councilman Bole >> here, >> Councilman Finestella >> here, >> Councilwoman Gerardo Perno, >> yes, >> Councilman Mororrow >> here. >> Councilman Piper >> here,
>> Councilman Scarice >> here. >> We have quum. Approve the minutes of April 15, 2026. >> Motion >> second. >> I can't see who made the first motion. >> Joe, me.
>> Councilman Bole. >> Yes. >> Councilman Finestella. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Jero. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mororrow. >> Yes. >> Councilman Piper. >> Yes. Yes. And Councilman Scurice. >> Yes. >> We have two proclamations this evening. One is for National Police Week and one
is for National Public Police Week is a time for our community to pause, reflect, and express our deep gratitude for the law enforcement officers who protect and serve us each day. It is a moment to honor those who have given their lives in the line of
duty and to recognize the unwavering courage and compassion of the officers who continue to serve here and thank them for their dedication, their sacrifices and their commitments to keeping our community safe.
Whereas the Congress and the President of the United States have designated the week of May, [clears throat] May 16th as National Police Week with May 15, 2026 recognized as Police Officer Memorial Day. Established in 1962, National
Police Week provides an opportunity for communities across the country to reflect on the critical roles of law enforcement officers playing in protecting their property, upholding the rule of law and preserving the rights of all citizens. It is also a time of
remembrance where the nation honors those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty including memorial events held in Washington DC such as a candle of vigil hosted by the national law enforcement officer memorial. This observance further recognizes the
men and women who continue to serve in difficult and unpredictable circumstances demonstrating courage professionalism and an unwavering commitment to the safety of others. Here in the bure county work, we proudly acknowledge the members of the Kennaworth Police Department whose daily
service reflects not only a dedication to public safety, but also a strong commitment of a community engagement, compassion, and building trust with our residents. Their work, whether responding to emergencies, supporting community initiatives, or simply being a
visible and reassens of our community. It is both fitting and necessary that we take this time to honor the memories of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty while also expressing our deep appreciation for those who continue to
serve with honor and distinction. They therefore be a proclaim that I the mayor of town state of New Jersey to hereby proclaim May 10th and May 16th as national police in the B calendar. We further proclaim
that May 15, 2026 shall be recognized as police officers Memorial Day. And I encourage all residents to observe this week and to join us in honoring law enforcement officers who have given their lives in war and for those who continue to serve with courage and
dedication. Thank you very much. [applause] Thank you. [applause] We're going to be celebrating a lot of our professionals at Kennorth. This month, the Bureau of Kenn is proud to recognize National Public Works Week, a
nationwide celebration honoring the dedication and essential contributions of the public work professionals. This annual observance highlights the vital role these individuals play in maintaining safe and efficient and thriving communities [clears throat] both through visible projects residents
can rely on each day and look behind the scenes for keep system running smoothly. Whereas the National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association will be observed from May 17th through May 23rd, 2026 under the
theme moving in service powered by community which recognizes that the foundation of public works is built on a deep commitment to serving others and strengthening the communities in which we live. This year's theme will present the work of public works professionals both
visible and behind [clears throat] the scenes to course the evolution of our communities into places where people can live, work and thrive with purpose and possibility. From the construction maintenance of roads and bridges to the management of water, sewer and storm
water systems. Public work serves an integral to integrity integ integral sorry to the health safety and daily function of our bureau forming the backbone of a strong resilient community here in the bureau. We proudly recognize and extend our sincere appreciation to
the members of the Camel Department of Public Works whose dedication, skill, and responsiveness are evident in every aspect of our community. Whether you will gladly visit our projects for the essential work performed behind the scenes as the men and women of Canada Department of Public Works exemplify the
spirit of living and service empowered by community consistently demonstrating professionalism, reliability and commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents. National Public Works Week provides an opportunity to acknowledge and thank
these individuals whose work seen and unseen the families and connected and forward looking community. Now therefore we proclaim that I the mayor and the city of New Jersey hereby proclaim May
17th through May 23rd 20126 is national public works week in the burea that all residents are encouraged to recognize and thank the dedicated public works professionals who serve our community each day and whose efforts continue to value the strength and
success of the bar. Thank [applause] you. >> Like to thank Laura, council, mayor, Laura, all administration staff, um, every department head and, uh, all the council, all the residents for their continued support. Thank you. [applause]
Okay, I want to start by thanking all of you for being here. I apologize that I'm unable to be with you in person for this meeting. I also want to thank everyone from what made your voices heard. Even though you approached the public, you raised
honest questions about how it will affect our community and beyond. First, let me say that as mayor, my responsibility is to the people of Kennawward and my mission is to improve our quality of life and expand our economic opportunity. I want to make it clear that the redevelopment of this
site was approved by council in September of 2024 and the data center was approved by the planning in May of 2025. After review and public hearings were held, this information was posted in local newspapers and on our federal
website on the Baltimore located Hall and I've also posted this to my social media page. Our team and I are working every day in and day out to negotiate a pilot, an agreement with real accountability for meetings and a strong community benefits
framework, ensuring that the county can make significant long-term investments in the barrow and this county. We look forward to being able to roll out agreement soon. and it firmly doesn't hold up a tenative argument, we will be held accountable. I also want to address
the points that I've heard from many of you because while these things are legitimate, most of the information that has been flying around simply is not accurate. To neighbors who are wondering about noise pollution, this facility will be quieter than a normal conversation
between two people. A regular conversation around 60. >> Unfortunately, it's as loud as it can go. >> Mayor, >> what's the point of this? >> You need to speak a little bit louder.
Unfortunately, you're coming in a little faint. air to neighbors who are wondering about noise. people. A regular conversation can run around 60 dB. According to an
independent analysis done by tech, a nationally recognized acoustic expert, this facility will only fall somewhere in the 42 to 49 decel range under the noise limit for residential areas under state law. To those who are wondering
about our water and our air, there will be no contaminated water, no burnoff and no airborne transmissions or emissions. This facility is engineer engineered with a closed loop system using blindfold so that there is no use of our
water is there any contact between the data center's cooling fluids and the outside environment. To those who are wondering about our electricity use and the impact on electric bills for our families, independent analysis shows that there will be no design to our grid or utility
cost. There will be no impact to our electric electricity grid or your utility cost. This property has its own power grid. To those who are wondering about economic impact of this project, let me say that we're getting more out of this deal than we're putting into it.
That's the reason why I support it. This is a $1.8 billion investment in our community. It creates 600 good paying union construction jobs going into development and then 1343 permanent jobs once it is fully up and running. All
above salary for our county. It it provides the workforce development program so that many jobs as possible are going to be built qualified people who live in and around. It repurposes an existing vacant
facility, not a brand new buildout on unused property. It will produce tax revenues and economic vitality, not just for Kennaworth, but for the entire country that has been sorely missed out since work relocated. All advice just laid out within without
any significant disruption to our community's environment or quality of life and with real accountability should the company fail to honor its commitments. Quite simply, this is the kind of opportunity that doesn't come along every day, and I firmly believe that it is in the our best interest.
With that, I thank you for your time. I look forward to continuing to engage with you throughout the remainder of this process to ensure that our community's voices are heard and recognized. I also want to make everyone here aware that you can go on our our
website and sign up for alerts. You'll get agendas and you will get minutes right to your cell phone. So you'll be aware of what's going on. Just go right on the homepage and you can sign right of course that very easily. And I hope a lot of people do that. This way everyone
can be aware and in the loop of everything that's going on in real time. Thank you very much. >> Uh finance committee uh Councilman. >> Okay. Thank you mayor. Uh good evening everyone. Tonight we have the adoption
of the 2026 municipal budget under resolution 26-118. When we first sat down as a finance committee, the projected tax increase for the average home was about $215. That number actually climbed to about $267 as we worked through the budget.
But after going line by line and tightening things up, we were able to bring down that increase significantly. The budget in front of you tonight to my fellow governing body members comes in at $79 as an increase for the average home in Kennorth. That's a meaningful reduction and it didn't happen by
accident. A few uh key things are worth bringing up and highlighting. First, our tax base grew last year. We added over $16 million in ratables, which has helped spread the burden of the tax pressures on residents uh more evenly.
Second, we made a major move on our health benefits. Effective June 1st, we're getting out of the state health benefits plan. That decision alone is going to save taxpayers about $300,000. We also made some targeted investments. We doubled the budget for the public
events uh as we prepare to celebrate the county uh excuse me, the country's 250th anniversary. This is something the whole community can enjoy. And we restored the shade tree budget back to 85,000 which brings it back in line where it was a few years ago. And importantly, we made
sure every department has what they need to continue delivering services the way our residents expect efficiently and reliably. State aid this year stayed flat at just over a million dollars. So, we didn't get any additional help there. But on the positive side, our surplus is
very, very strong. We closed out 2025 at $6.7 million, which is up about $2.7 million from the year before. That puts us in a much more stable position moving forward. If you look at the big picture, the trend is clear. Over the last 5 years, tax increases have come down from
nearly a $400 at their peak high to just under $80 this year. That shows we're moving in the right direction and taking real steps towards stabilizing municipal taxes here in Kennorth. Lastly, ordinance 2026-10 is on for introduction. This allows us to
establish cap banking, basically giving us the flexibility to carry forward unused budget capacity into future years if we need it. This ability used to be automatic. Now we have to pass it via ordinance every year. Uh that's all I have for tonight and thank you.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Excellent job. >> Department of Public Works. >> Thank you, Mayor. During April 2026, the department incurred the following time off. 168 short-term disability hours, 136 sick hours, 128 on the job injury
hours, 32 vacation hours, and 54.5 personal hours. Um, there has been vandalism to the buildings in our parks. Um, please report any vandalism to the Kennorth Police Department. And the Kennawar Street Fair is going to be held
on the 17th of May from 10:00 a.m. till 4:00. Uh road closures will be from 7:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the Boulevard, Michigan Avenue, and 14th Street. And that's all I have. >> Thank you, Councilman. Department of Public Safety Council.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Uh for the month of uh April, the Penorth Police Department responded to,454 calls for service. 200 911 calls. There were 152 and 1/2 hours of overtime and
the overtime is as follows. 76 hours of scheduled patrol overtime, 36 hours of dispatch over time, 1 hour of DB callin, five TV invest, 55 hours SWAT call out, 12 and 1/2 hours grand jury, 2 minutes
of court, and 8 hours a ride program. Police Department completed 102 hours of training, issued 170 traffic summones, and made six arrests for the month. There were eight sick days and two sick
two sick occurrences. There were two 22 on the job injuries days and Ken police received 60 flock hotless from stationary cameras throughout the bar. Message from the chief. Uh Canor Police
Department has started a weekly blogger reporting report in their um social media. It can be found on Canor Police Department's Facebook page. Please follow on Facebook for current arrests notifications and etc. Please
notify police department to report a complaint or nuisance. If you don't tell them, they won't know about it. Um, the only events that I can think of, uh, coming up is the 17th is our street fair Sunday, uh, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Streets will be closed from approximately 23rd Street to 14th Street. And then we'll have our fishing derby on June 6th at 8:00 a.m. That's all I may. >> Thank you, Councilman. Uh, planning and
building zoning. Councilman Spice. >> Thank you, Mayor. Following is the construction department monthly report for April 2026. Uh as a reminder that bur offices will be closed on Friday, May 22nd and Monday, May 25th in observance of
Memorial Day holiday. Total receipts for April 2026, $39,4 breaking down uh $23,216 building fees. um $4,948 state fees, [clears throat] miscellaneous fees,
$3,240, trailer storage fees, $1,200, road opening fees, $6,000. Um, other reports, we're not done yet. Um, and I'm sure as everyone knows, planning board approved the subdivision
of four property, uh, the former Merk site. And that's all I have to report. Mayor, >> thank you, Councilman. Recreation and fire. Uh, Councilman [snorts] Traver. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, there's no recreation report tonight. Uh, the fire
department report for April. Uh, during the month of April, the fire department responded to 34 calls. Uh, during these incidents, the fire department traveled 105 miles and utilized 94 man hours. The fire department rescue squad responded to 25 calls, traveling 225 miles, and
utilized 235 man hours. [clears throat] During the month of April, the fire department and rescue squad completed 40 hours of training. The additional man hours utilized uh administrative 263, stipened 1,364, building maintenance 8, vehicle
maintenance 10, rescue squad administrative 23, little league parade 15. So the total calls for the month were 59, total miles traveled were 330, and the total manh hours were 212. And that's all I have. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman House of Education and Welfare. Councilwoman >> Thank you, Mayor. The library has a tween craft night this Friday for ages 10 to 16 at 3:00. Next Tuesday, May
12th, there's Innovation, Invention, and Industry Program for ages 6 and up at 6:30 p.m. And Tuesday the 19th, is Family Fun Night at 6:30, assorted games and crafts and puzzles. Um, and of
course, all the other um events that they have every day from toddlers to seniors. So, please go online. A lot of their events need prior registration. The board of education passed their school budget on during their special
meeting on May 29th and full copies are on the board of ed website. They also move to um change their um elections to April. So starting next year, April 2027, all school board uh issues that
need to be voted on will not be during the traditional November elections. Um and our the school board business administrator, Mr. Vincent Canella, is retiring and they are actively interviewing
um to fill that position. Excuse me. Social concerns. There's arts and crafts um tomorrow, May 7th at 1:00. the senior arts and crafts display and show and some hands-on activities will be during
the um street fair on May 17th as they did last year. They highlighted a lot of photography. So, it's great to be able to go into the senior center and get acclimated with a lot of the different activities they offer um and see how beautiful it's been. Um a lot of updates
and and things done there. The senior picnic will be at Deario Park Thursday, May 28th at 11 o'clock, 11 to 2. And uh traditional events or classes they have at the senior center like Zumba, line
dance, bowling, [clears throat and cough] chair, yoga, and all of that, you could either call um or stop in the senior center to enroll in all of that. The health department has their next meeting May 21st. So any events or issues I will
report on the next council meeting and that's all I have. Mayor, [clears throat] >> thank you council woman. [snorts] [cough] [clears throat] >> Yeah. Thank you, Mayor. Uh just a couple of updates. Uh the uh road work on
Monroe is uh progressing. They're essentially almost done with the uh concrete work. Uh they're going to take a pause. Once we're done with the concrete work, we're going to take a pause till school gets out and then do the paving uh once school's out just because it'll be too much interference I
think with with school in session. Uh we've made some progress with PSCG on the boulevard. Uh they have agreed to work with us on uh laying out the light bases and the electrical conduits. Uh the next challenge is actually getting them to sit down with us and take the time to work with us. But uh we're
trying to set that up for next week. Uh once we have that uh designed, then we can go ahead and we can uh schedule the work to get the sidewalks done. Uh and then lastly, uh we're uh looking for some dates next week to re do the
restriping at the senior parking lot. Uh once we have the dates, we'll check with the senior center just make sure we're not interfering uh with anything they're doing. Uh and that's all I have. [clears throat] Tony, I just want to ask the restriping of the of the parking lot when it was it
was striped and then restriped. You can see the it was done incorrectly. You can still see the old lines coming through back there. >> Is it terrible with that? >> Yeah, that has to be redone. We we did
notice that that that whatever that they the blackout paint they used apparently didn't hold up. Uh so they're going to have they're going to redo that as well. And it we're not restruing the entire parking lot. It's just a small section that it was a mixup when they did it originally. So, uh it's basically
affecting maybe like six or seven parking spaces. So, >> and any more progress on that walking path between the Lincoln Drive? >> Well, that's going to be uh >> we're recommending that for the uh this year's budget. As we discussed last
time, that money was never allocated as our CFO confirmed. So, we're recommending that uh that be put into this year's capital budget. Once that if that is approved by the council, then we'll go ahead and put that out to bid. Uh- because of the rule of aggregate, we're going to have to put that out to
bid even though it's a small job. Uh because of the work we did at the Mario, it's going to be similar work. So, it's going to have to be a public bid. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Sure. You're welcome. >> That's a question. Uh first question
five epic >> stay on >> that's it. >> No one >> um so five eping with the water quest uh that was filled in you and um code enforcement went out there. Is there any progress or >> Yeah, actually I did um Anthony Monguso
got in touch with me today and uh the uh resident did do the work as per his direction. Uh it was just finished uh I believe as of like yesterday. So I haven't gone out there yet to look at it. So it still has to be still subject to a final inspection. Uh Anthony sent
me a couple of photos. It looks like he did what we were supposed to do. I can't verify till I get out there. Um we did find a couple of other issues besides that property. There's a couple of other things going on that need to also be corrected that are probably contributing to the problem. I say definitely
contributing to the problem. So now that this is addressed, we're going to have to talk to a couple other residents and there's going to be there's got to be some other small modifications cuz there's other thing there's other things that are contributing to the problem. >> Very good. It's finally some progress on that. Sure.
>> Also, uh you went out to the Fatute site and can you um explain to the people what you saw and uh if there anything's been brought before us and if there was any development they would have to come before us. >> Yeah. So, um, we weren't aware of
anything going on. Once we pictures are sent to us, we went out. I got out there this afternoon. [clears throat] By the time I got out there, there was no work being done. Now, this was being done in the old, uh, railroad rightway that's owned by the state. So, from what I can see, uh, they were looks like they were
doing so borings, um, which they're allowed to do. There's no um process in our ordinance that would require them to notify the burrow or request a permit just to go out and do borings on their own property. So um we don't know what they're doing, why they did it, uh if
there's any work to be proposed down the line. They're obviously going to have to come to the burrow and and request the proper permits. So for what they did, what they were doing, apparently what they were doing wouldn't require any kind of notification or any kind of permit that we would have to issue.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> And it looks like they're done. I mean, when I can see it looks like they finished and they're gone. So, I'll go out there again tomorrow to see if they come back. But it looks like whatever they were doing, it looks like they cleared out and they're gone. >> Thank you, >> Tony. You said that property is owned by the state. >> That's correct. Do LG. Yeah.
>> Okay. [clears throat] >> Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Tony. >> Thanks. >> Hey, thank you. CFO Thank you, mayor. Uh, I just want to thank the, uh, finance committee for, uh, making some tough decisions, doing a great job, and, uh, as, uh, Councilman,
Finance Chairman Mororrow mentioned, we are going in the right direction, trying to stabilize things. So, [clears throat] uh, thank you for your support, and, uh, all the department heads, I think you will, uh, thank you for your hard work and support. So, that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thanks. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, mayor, I really don't have a report, but you did on your uh monologue at the beginning during your comments had raised a couple of dates that I think may have been muffled and maybe it's worth me repeating just
for clarity. >> Sure, I'll do that right now. You're talking about the um the adoption of the uh >> yeah when when the redevelopment plan was adopted. >> Redevelopment. Okay. The redevelopment site of this for the uh tour or for the
whole Onyx property was approved by council in September of 2024 and the data center was approved by the planning board in May of 2025. >> Good. And uh I just want to make uh for
the public's uh edification, I just want to bring out a couple of things regarding the processes associated with both of those steps uh so that they understand that everything was done publicly and transparently.
When a redevelopment plan is adopted, it's it's it's completely true. Everything was done in accordance with the law, in accordance with the MLUL, which requires notification for the redevelopment plan, which is the
zoning ordinance for all intents and purposes. It was introduced before this body. That was one public hearing. It was then heard for consistency before the planning board. That's another public meeting. And then it was adopted
here before this body. not only with the public uh in within the context of a public meeting but with the ability for the public to comment on it. It adopted at that point in time and it was not appealed. It stayed in full force in
effect. It became law over a year and a half ago. You guys can too. >> Then respectful of everyone. >> Then there was a site plan >> application before the planning board
that required publication 200 foot notices. The public was able to come to any of the hearings associated with that. The public was able to cross-examine any witness and the public was able to uh comment against it to
bring their own witnesses against it. The planning board ultimately granted that approval in May and the time period to appeal that is gone. It's passed. >> No, it's not. >> Yes. Yes, it is.
>> Let him speak. You'll have an opportunity to speak. >> Let him speak. >> The public should not be speaking at this point. I'm sorry. Just >> not even
>> the law is enough. Excuse me. >> Some decorum, please. >> The law is the law. Mayor, if you could please repeat the date that the planning board granted site plan approval.
>> Uh May 25th uh 2000 I'm sorry, May 15, 2025. >> Okay. There's a 45day period to appeal a decision from the planning board. That time expired in 2025. That time expired
in July of 2025. Any law that's changed today does not affect and cannot affect and the law's abundantly clear on this an approval that was already granted by the planning board. So that this body
cannot take action that would invalidate that approval. Any understanding to the contrary is incorrect. Also the planning board is an autonomous body. So this governing body here can't
do anything to influence the members of a planning board in their decisionmaking process. I thought mayor that that made sense to uh highlight again. Uh I understand some people may not be happy
with those realities, but that's the law and and that's what we're constrained by >> and and that's what I wanted to cover. >> Is there a need for executive? No, you're all >> Yes, there is. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um Okay.
Administrative office. >> I don't have a report at this time, mayor. I do have three items for executive session. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> So, we'll move on to the ordinances. Next for council consideration is an ordinance for public hearing and
adoption of ordinance 2026-10 calendar year 2026 ordinance to establish a cap bank pursuant to NJSA484-45.14. >> Um I I just would like to ask the council if when they're um making a motion they could just say who they are
because I can't see you um when you're speaking. >> Okay. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a cap bank in New Jersey. Establishing a cap bank data ordinance allows municipalities to increase their budget appropriations beyond the 2.5%
coal limit to the statuto 3.5% and to be any unused portion for future use. Is there a motion to open the floor for public on this comment on this ordinance only? >> Motion. >> Second viper.
Uh make motion by council now seconded by council. All in favor >> I >> I >> does anyone have anything to say or comment on this ordinance only? Please come forward and state your name and address. >> The purpose of this ordinance is to
establish a cap bank in New Jersey. Establishing a cap bank via ordinance allows municipalities to increase their budget appropriations beyond the 2.5 cola limit to the statutory permitted 3.5 and to bank any unused portions for future years. Currently, the public uh
forum is open right now for this ordinance and this ordinance only. Does anyone have anything they'd like to say on this ordinance only? >> Could you explain what is a cat bank? >> Cat bank.
The per a cap bank is the is a a cost of living adjustment and by statute we're allowed to increase it to 3.5 and any unused portion can be used in future years. Ken, can you maybe describe that a
little simpler? >> Exactly right. >> When do you use it? How do you use it? Our CFO is going to explain a little more. >> It's used for the main operating
expenses of the burrow and it allows you to go up to the 3 and 12% and this way you can bank it. It used to be automatic. It's no longer automatic. So, you have to pass this ordinance. It helps us out in future years if we want
to add a police officer or something to that nature where we can fit it into the budget. Okay. So, anyone from the public that would like to comment on this ordinance only, please come forward. State your name and address.
>> Okay. Seeing no one, I'd like a motion to close the floor for public comment on this ordinance. >> Motion second. >> Motion made by council. Second by council Maro. All in favor? I >> I motion to approve ordinance 2025-04
for adoption. >> Motion second Marorrow. >> Okay. Motion made by Councilman. Second by Councilman Maro. Roll call. >> Councilman Bole. >> Yes. >> Councilman Finella. >> Yes. >> Councilman J. Councilwoman Jera. >> Yes. >> Councilman Warro.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Piper. >> Yes. And Councilman Scurries. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Okay, we have public hearing and adoption of municipal budget resolution 26-117 to to read budget by title only for
public hearing. Is there a motion to approve resolution 26-117 to read budget by title only for public hearing? >> Motion second draw. >> Motion made by council moral, seconded
by council. All in favor? I >> is there a motion to open the floor to the public for the 2026 municipal budget hearing >> only? >> Motion Piper. >> Second boil. >> Motion made by Councilman uh Piper. The
second was by >> Boil. Okay. Is there a motion? Does anyone from the public have a comment on this budget that goes or mid only? Please come forward and state your name and address. Is someone from the public speaking?
>> Yes. Hi, Christine Bennett. >> Uh, do you need my address? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. Coolage Drive. >> I got it. >> Okay. Um, so specifically about the budget. So, in the announcement of the
shared services agreement um with the Rosal Park DPW, um one of the key benefits listed was the establishment of a dedicated parks department with added staffing. Can you expand upon where that's reflected in
our budget? >> Uh well, so the table Sure. >> It's built into the uh shared service uh and it's not it's just uh internally done as a department. >> Uh which section of appropriations?
>> Uh it's on the one 1.4 4 million page. [clears throat] It's >> on page 22 [clears throat] million 418464. >> And what's the line? What's the line item called?
>> The line item is the Burough Rosel Park DPW ship service. >> Okay. And so there's no like extension like plan of what that means. So there's a there's a table of organization for the
DPW and Greg, please step in where I'm going to get this wrong. You have dedicated employees or staff count to the parks department to sanitation to road work and you will have a number of people that are dedicated to parks. Is that is that correct? And when we did
the shared service agreement that allowed our DPW to expand nine employees in total as we took on Rosel Park. Was it nine? >> The nine included uh was seven road workers, one mechanic and one supervisor. >> And having the increased amount of staff
allowed our DPW department to almost reorganize, if you will, and have a dedicated parks department. >> So that that would be the explanation of where the money kind of comes in from Rosal Park to the shared service and then our DPW department gets to allocate that as they need to in the table of organization.
>> Okay. So it wouldn't fall under our line parks department. >> Our line. >> Yes. on sheet 15B. >> No, >> it's so what's parks in that section? >> Parks in that section is to help maintain the parks
>> which would not to buy material laws, hire vendors that you have to do work that we don't have the ability or licensing to do. >> Okay. So staffing for that? >> No, outside. >> That's outside vendors. >> Outside vendors are buying materials and supplies.
>> Okay. So we're not going to have a pen a worth specific dedicated parks department. >> Well, our DPW has specific staff dedicated to the parks >> for both towns. >> So I I I mean I want to answer your question is yes directly because we have
a dedicated department with dedicated staff to the need you have there or or inquiry. >> Okay. But it's not under the budget line of parks. >> That was that was my question. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Thanks.
>> Okay. Thank you. Would anyone else like to comment on the uh municipal budget? >> Uh yeah, I'm Terry Seuss. I live over in Union. Um you very detailed. It took a time to go through in detail how you
passed the um approvals for this major development that we have in our backyard. I would like to ask you at this point in time, we're only speaking on the public budget. This is the public budget. This is the budget. I would like to know how much
>> uh in your budget is dedicated to the engineering department and whether they have actually been over there to see what's going on cuz work is obviously going on over there and whether that is being managed within the law. So how big
is your engineering department? >> I can answer that. any of our engineering or professionals if they're over at the four week site they will be four week pays for that that does not come out as a taxpayer money from the
people in town there's an escrow account and that would be four weeks >> escrow account for what >> so projects projects that the planning board are going through all development projects really have escrow accounts for
things like permit fees and surveys and all those types of things and engineering fees and traffic studies and >> and inspections >> and inspections and that's the escrow account the mayor's referring to. >> And does that cover the engineering personnel to actually go over and see what's going >> covers what the engineering cost would
be and it is borne by the company that's applying for the permits and all that. Uh and if they need to deposit more money, the building department tells them they need to deposit more money. So that is not paid for by the people of Kennaworth. It's paid for by the developers. >> Who who oversees it though? Is it our
engineers? >> Our planning board Mark is that who overc it's a combination of the the engineer the burough engineers office as well as our building department depending on what the particular issue is. >> So how many people are in those
departments? engineering building just off the top. >> I'd say we have >> and there's two people in the building and we have also three with a building officer and a building inspector.
>> But our but our burough engineer mayor is Harvard Consultants and they're a large engineering firm with Tony. How many engineers do you guys have? >> We've staff of 19. >> Okay. we could adequately cover any work being done to oversight on any work
being done on the property. It >> be interesting to know how that actually works. But anyway, thank you. >> Can you please provide your address? I know you said you live in Union, but you did not. >> I'm on Chestnut Street in Union 292. >> Thank you very much.
>> Okay. Is there anyone else from the public that would like to comment on the budget? >> Okay. Seeing no one, I'd like a motion to close the floor for public discussion. >> Second motion.
>> Seconded by Piper. Is there a motion to approve resolution 26-118 adoption of the 2020? >> Motion Maro. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion made by council. Seconded by council. Roll call.
>> Councilman Bole. >> Yes. >> Councilman Finella. >> Yes. Councilwoman Jero, >> yes. >> Councilman Morrow, >> yes. >> Councilman Piper, >> yes. >> And Councilman Scurries, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Next for council consideration is the consent agenda consisting of resolutions 26-9
through 26-23. There is a slight correction on 26-120. There was a date of 2024 that was amended to 2026. >> Is there a motion to approve with consent agenda?
>> Motion. Second by >> Councilman Boille, >> Councilman Hoy, >> Councilman Finella, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Deerna, >> yes. >> Councilman Mororrow, >> yes. >> Councilman Piper, >> yes.
>> And Councilman Curry, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Next up for public hearing and adoption is ordinance 2026-12 amending chapter 190 vehicles and traffic article 3 operation of vehicles and schedule seven and 8 relating to truck restrictions and
municipal vehicle exemptions to the municipal code of the burough count. Okay, this ordinance updates count traffic code and clarify truck restrictions and formally exempt municipal vehicles such as public works and emergency vehicles when performing
official duties. It also strengthens rules on truck route, planning requirements, and enforcement to ensure consistency with state law. Is there a motion to open the floor to the public on this ordinance only? >> Motion Piper. >> Second, Sc.
>> Okay. Motion made by Councilman Piper, second by Councilman Scice. All in favor? >> Okay. Does anyone have anything to say on this ordinance and this ordinance only? Please come forward and state your name and address. Okay, seeing no one, is there a motion
to close the floor for public comment this only? >> Motion finish. >> Second motion made >> sorry motion made by council second by council. All
>> in favor? I >> a motion to approve this ordinance for adoption. >> Motion, >> second motion made by Councilman Piper, second by Councilman Finella. Roll call. >> Councilman Bo, yes. >> Councilman Finella, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Deon Perno, >> yes. >> Councilman Mororrow, >> yes. >> Councilman Piper, >> yes. And Councilman Shereice, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Next for introduction is ordinance 2026-01 ordinance adopting amendments to chapter 12-26.3 parking of motor vehicles non
for per for personal private use of document in residential zones of the municipal code of the burough counter. >> Uh mayor I'd like to motion to table this because you're not here. We were going to workshop this. Councilman Bole had some opinions. Councilman Piper did as well. So I think when you're back uh
sitting here, we can pick this back up. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to table this ordination, please? >> Motion by second. Do we have a second? >> Okay. Councilman Viper. >> Council for that.
>> Yes, we do. Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Finella, >> yes. >> Council Pero, >> yes. >> Councilman Mororrow, >> yes. >> Council Piper, >> yes. >> Councilman Scurice, >> yes. >> Ordinance 2026-01 is tabled for further discussion.
Okay. Um, at this time the bureau has need to go into executive session. I'd like a motion to enter executive session. >> Motion finish all second tomorrow. >> Okay. Motion made by finish all second
by council tomorrow. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay, we will be back shortly >> after executive session. >> Okay. At this time, the governing body has the right to go into executive interior session, which means that the
public is going to need to adjourn out of the council chambers, and we will let you know when you come back in. >> Okay. Mayor. >> Okay. Comments are welcome during this portion of the public meeting. Before making a comment, all speakers must
identify themselves with their name and address uh by ordinance 2017-01. Okay. Is there a motion to open the floor for public comment? >> Motion finished rolling. >> Do that again. >> Motion finished rolling. >> Second >> Piper.
>> Okay. Motion made by Councilman Finro, seconded by Councilman Piper. All in favor? >> I. >> Does anyone have anything to say for the good and well-being of Kennawward? Please come forward and state your name and address. >> Hello. >> Hi.
>> Hi. >> Hi. My name is Kaylee Henry. I'm from Hamilton, New Jersey, 330 East Central Avenue. >> Can we get that addressed? >> H >> we got it. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, I am the ecology director for
Climate Revolution Action Network. Um, I've killed four data centers in the past month and a half and one specifically was already being ready to be built and because of public support and because of me showing up to meetings
where nobody was at, they were able to reverse it because when you have an ordinance and when you have resolutions, you're able to, you know, take words out. You're able to revise them. There's no 45 day period where you can't revise a resolution or ordinance. Um, I do have
one question though. Why does a company, a multinational private equitybacked company, deserve a quarter billion dollars of handouts when the community is going to get zero benefit? >> That's a question.
[applause] >> Um, I can't speak for >> So, let me let me say this again. Let me say this again. Let me say this again. a4 billion dollars of the community's me members tax dollars to a private equitybacked company who is already billionaires.
>> Your question is for the state. We did not authorize anything like that. >> That's not that's not the counter. That's the state of New Jersey. >> But you allowed it. That's the >> You allowed this company into your house. also directing your question that should go to the state senate and assembly and potentially the government.
>> So moving on, this data center is draining these people's lives. I'm not from here yet. I'm 100 miles away and it's still affecting me. Why? Because of energy prices. You're rising our utility costs. You can say no, but there there
is actual proof that you are. So it's 30 to 40% across 6 months because of data centers being built in New Jersey that the utility Can I speak please? Can I speak? Because you told me that I couldn't speak when you were speaking yet. >> Now I can't. [applause]
>> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> Thank you. Um and then I heard you guys were um complaining about, you know, some um like parks being um vandalized, you know, like those are things that are built for the community. So maybe you
should pay like put your tax dollars or our tax dollars into helping the parks instead of building a data center because what does that do for our residents? >> Nothing. >> We're upholding the data center. >> You allowed it to be built. Like stop
trying to retract my words upholding the data center. >> You allowed you allowed the project to be built. So that is all I have to say. I appreciate you listening to me. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. Thank you. [applause]
>> Anyone else? >> Hi. >> Hi. Good evening. >> My name is Daniela Palmy. That's P is in Peter. A L. M is in Mary E. I live at 25 North 6 Street. >> Is that Kennorth? >> Yes. Yes. >> Thank you.
>> No problem. >> So, I just wanted to address two things because I'm sure there's a long list of people after me that also wish to address. So, I just want to start with an acknowledgement. As somebody who live grew up here and I live in the community
now, I need to be more active and I need to show up to these meetings and I need to be here. So, I will take that accountability as somebody who's been here for 30 plus years of my life. But with that being said, whatever laws we are, the New Jersey
state laws that we are being upheld to, um, they're decades old and the bare minimum of sending a 200 foot notice or putting something on a website or putting something on a bulletin board in
a municipal building doesn't apply to this generation. And I think that there needs to be if as a community we can work together to change that, I would be happy to put an idea out there or or
work to make it more accessible because I think we need accessibility and that has to be addressed while we're all together. Um because again as somebody who lives here, I didn't know about this and that's not you know I found out by
accident as many people probably did and while I acknowledge you guys did put everything in writing and I when I looked at the meeting and I looked at the agendas and I did my homework I just know that we can do better and we can make this more accessible to the people
of this community. [applause] Thank you for your comments and and I want to repeat again that everyone can sign up for Burrow alerts. It'll come right in text message or email to your phone. You'll get agendas. You'll get minutes.
>> You just go on our Bureau of Counterts website. And then as far as why a lot of us are here today and the frustration and anger that a lot of people are feeling, there has been a lot of just mixed messages.
And as somebody who has access to Facebook, the news, different forms of media, and consume different forms of media daily, we need to know who we can trust and how we can build that trust. Because when our
council members are telling us one thing, but then, you know, poor is on their website talking about the data center coming or whatever, but then we're at a planning board meeting saying there's no application for a data center. THAT'S WHY [applause] >> I can't speak on behalf of the planning
board. Um I believe that I've been put a lot of information out there uh to the public and as and I have been transparent in what's happening. Uh so you do have that information. I'm sure you were there when you heard my report today. I've also made some news
statements and also on my my uh official mayor page on Facebook as well. Yes. And we I've definitely kept up and read up. Do you mind if I take one more minute? Is that okay? >> Okay. Uh and so with that being said, I just want to ask the question just for
clarity for me and the other people in this community and the people in the community surrounding us. If there is not a data center being planned currently, what type of development or retrofitting or renovation is happening at the 11 Nest campus as it stands
today? But there there is a data center being being built. We explained that it was passed in May of 2025 >> the by the planning board. The application was approved. >> So then at last week's meeting when people were asking the question about
the data center why were we being told no that is that there wasn't >> I can't speak for the I can't speak for the plan. >> That's a question [laughter] for that for the that govern body. you are here.
>> Okay. >> That is all of my questions. >> Uh thank you for your comments. Is there are is there someone else that would like [applause] to come up and speak? >> Hi, good afternoon. My name is Shiman Aquoa. I live at 2616 Hawthorne Avenue,
Union, New Jersey. Um, may I just address the people in the room very quickly? Is that okay? >> Uh, no. This is for the council. >> Okay. So, just talk to me. Could you guys just raise your hands if you think you're properly notified as of May of 2025? >> IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE PROPERLY
NOTIFIED. OKAY. >> COOL. SO, UH, I live a little bit far from here, BUT I DO KNOW a number of people in this room who can see the data center being built from just out the windows. It's common for people not to understand the extent of how their actions affect other people. So, I came with an example. In Memphis, Tennessee,
an AI data center was built leading people leading into people in the area reporting it as a death sentence, the air having a Ryan smell, and there's the highest rate of childhood asthma to date. The Senate was built in 122 days with no public notice and numerous unkempt promises. Sounds pretty familiar, right? >> Yeah.
>> Mhm. If I ask, if this is truly progress, how can you justify CALLING THIS PROJECT BENEFICIAL AND AN OPPORTUNITY THAT DOESN'T COME EVERY DAY WHEN AI data centers are known to consume massive amounts of energy, water, potentially impacting our environment and public health? WHAT ASSURANCES CAN YOU GIVE THAT OUR
community won't bear those consequences? What makes this center different? Thank you. >> This is very difficult [applause] design and nobody knows at all. I explained that in my report.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> There's no water. >> Anyone else in the public likes to speak? >> It's just 70% less. >> Does anyone else from the public like to comment?
[laughter] >> We have to have the quorum in the courtroom or we're going to stop the meeting. >> One person needs to speak at a time. Please come forward. >> Okay. SO, PERFECT. SO, CAN YOU PLEASE LIKE REITERATE and again for the clarity because clearly there wasn't much clarification. What makes this AI data
center different than ones that are currently harming our entire country? >> What's the difference? >> It's very different and I'll tell you they have their own power. >> Okay. [applause] >> I can answer this question that they have their own power grid. They will not be using water at all. There's no
airborne yourself. >> I'm telling you, >> you can reach out to Corine as well and ask about the design. >> Your chance to speak to your own disagree. >> Okay.
>> So, the mayor the mayor the mayor made her statements. Everybody please calm down so we can actually conduct the meeting here. the mayor had made her statements about the closed loop. She talked about the power usage. So, I think she made that pretty clear. One one thing that I think when I
read all of the comments that have been floating out there and a lot of the developments that get cited in Georgia, in Texas, in Tennessee, in Indiana, not necessarily the ones in New Jersey. There are a couple. I You're not letting me finish my sentence, so you don't know
where I'm going with this. The ones that are different here are that the infrastructure that we need is already built. And when you're talking about something in a waters scarce area in Indiana, that is not New Jersey. When we're >> when we're talking about needing power
for the plant, this particular piece of property has a power plant on it. There was a data center there before the data center now being built. It was it it was being rehabbed right now into a more modern data center. So you're you're not looking at an apples
to apples comparison. You're taking things where there was no excuse me when you're at the podium. You will have your opportunity to speak. If you're speaking over me, I'll stop talking. If you don't want information, I won't give it.
>> I'm sorry. Your your colleagues out here want to answer for me. So I guess they rule the day. They can have for Mike. Sir, please please finish your comment. I was >> the infrastructure needs that go surrounding the data centers. When you look at the, you know, the bell curve, you got 80% of things in the middle.
We're focusing on the stuff at the edge. When there was no data infrastructure built for these data centers, the ones in Texas with the lights that I see and Georgia with the water scarce issues and Tennessee, what you're mentioning here, what do you know if there was existing infrastructure that was there before
those data centers got there? Because that's what we have here. We have the infrastructure here. So, we talk about these projects like they're brand new. There was there was a pharmaceutical company over there using massive amounts of power and water already. So, we have the infrastructure on site to handle
these things. >> So, I thank you for your questions. The other people in the crowd, I'm sorry you don't get a chance to do this. This is not a debate. You can come up to the podium and have your three minutes as well. If you've used your three minutes and didn't like the way you've used it, I'm sorry. Okay. You cannot just
interrupt everybody. >> Thank you. >> Does anyone else from the public like to come up and comment? >> Thank you guys. I'll reevaluate your decision. Thank you. >> Hi, Christine Jordano, 27 North 22nd Street. I realize this is a year old
done deal, but I would like to ask a couple of questions. On your social media, you as the mayor kept advocating that we're going to get they're going to pay sales tax. My understanding sales tax doesn't come to Kennawart. That's
going to the governor which is going to be for subsidizing probably urban schools. My question to you is if they're tax exempt up to 50 million per year, we're not gaining any tax money
from that property. Is that correct or not? Correct. >> We are not. They are not tax exempt in the vote of powers. >> No. The look the arrangement that the state of New Jersey makes with them for their taxes that doesn't have anything to do with the burrow and they will be paying taxes in California.
>> Yes, we they are ratable in town. Yes. >> Second question I have is the woman I don't know if she's here tonight gave a good point last week that they're asking for a subdivision that was approved but we don't know what's going in each one
of those buildings. Has there been any outreach by the planning board, the council to find out what they are dividing and putting in four different buildings? >> Ma'am, that is a planning board question, not the governing body.
>> But ask the mayor, you should >> Well, I could I'll tell you the process. The process here is that they went for the subdividing and they're not obligated to tell us what they want to do. If they're going to do something that is non-conforming to the zoning regulations in place, they will have to go to the planning board and then detail
all the things that you're mentioning there. If it is a conforming business, >> if it's a conforming business, they come to our construction department and tell us what we're doing and the permits then get issued. So, they've gone through the steps here of applying for that subdividing. They're either going to apply now for a non-conforming business
to go there or do something with the construction department because it's part of the zoning rights. let the public know and you will give us the opportunity to see what's being >> the information will be is always posted on the barrel website and you can also sign up for alerts and you will know
>> you have to you have to actually go on the website and sign up and you will get the alerts you'll get all the minutes you'll get the agendas >> you have to go on the website though and sign up for it >> plus it will be in the paper and we'll
send out notices as No, the >> the paper the the paper has to have published in it a notice to the public the nature of the land use application at least 10 days before the hearing.
>> Okay. The other last question is this company has had uh recently two uh legal actions put against them. one I think in February and one just in March for fraud, class action, lawsuits, for lack
of transparency, misleading information and other things. Is there any question on your part and you know questioning and anything in policies been being written that you
keep saying they're going to be responsible for the additional water should they need it outside of what's already there. >> They won't be using any water. I I can't say it enough times. There will be no water in this project. >> But it does come up in the literature.
So that's why I'm saying is there any protection in the guarantee that they would take care of it should they need additional infrastructure to accommodate the cooling of the coils, especially since they have two recent
lawsuits against them that are questionable about lack of transparency and stuff. Mark, I got to assume there's a procedure for when an applicant doesn't say something forthright to the planning board. >> Yes. So,
I don't and I have not seen the resolution, but the resolution has a series of conditions like every resolution from either a zoning board of adjustment or a planning board. In this case, it's the planning board. So, the planning board approved a set of plans
uh that I I believe based upon what I'm hearing uh that contained the closed loop system. Uh and if something is going to change, I believe that they have to go for an amendment to the site plan. If they're making changes to infrastructure on the
site, pipes and and whatnot, and at that point in time, the planning board will have to impose whatever conditions would be associated with it. Are you the burough attorney? Correct. >> Correct. >> So you don't oversee any of those logistics?
>> No. The the the planning board and the zoning board are autonomous bodies. They have their own attorney and they have their own they receive their applications. That's why there is a separation between us and them. >> Okay. Thanks.
[applause] >> Okay. Anyone else from the public like to come up and speak? Thank you for your comments. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Carmen Buco 338 North 18th Street, Kennorth, New Jersey. >> Uh, I've been on top of this issue for probably over a month now, and I just
kind of wanted to make a statement. >> Uh, by the way, I am running for Congress, just so you know. >> It doesn't. Now, I'm gonna I'm gonna get crap for what I'm going to say, but it's reality, right? Uh we do hold our
elected officials accountable for most of what is going on in our district. But look, the reality is is we have to hold ourselves accountable. And that young lady said it perfectly. We don't we're so consumed with real life that we forget about what's going on right outside our doors
>> right. We elect people that we put a fiduciary responsibility on. Here's what kind of upsets me is I love the fact that all these people are here. They're speaking up. That is a beautiful thing. That's what your first amendment had rights for. But when we start to threaten, disrespect, and destroy people
people's lives for something that is going on, >> I'm making a statement that I hear on the internet on a constant basis. So what I'm asking is that if the >> look you may not like
>> you may not like what I have to say but it's reality and we need to face reality right these these data centers are going up here's my question or my comment the most the biggest concern that people have out there on the internet and everything that's going on in this in
this town and all over is a lack of transparency and again like I said I hold myself accountable. I think everybody else has to hold herself accountable for not stepping up and finding out what's going on in their own district. Um, and outside the district. I get right. I was speaking to a lady
from Union and she was very upset that she doesn't know what's going on. I think uh uh like the lady said, I think we need to co be working local with other towns when issues like this are coming up. Uh my question is is in and actually a
fact is that in 2023 Murphy said we are going to be the largest data center in the world. >> Don't quote me on that but it's something around like that. In 2024 you guys approved the sale of core. Am I correct?
We approved the redevelopment agreement >> with Onyx equity. We don't we don't play a role in core who it was before Core Weeave was even in the picture. That was to Onyx. >> Okay. So, >> who bought the property? Onyx sold it to
piece of >> Onyx sold. So, it's been all over the internet that Cororeweave is actually bought this property, right? So, why weren't we doing only a portion? >> That's fine. a portion of the problem, whatever it is. Right? Corweave was all
over the fact that >> they were coming to Kennallorth. Shame on Corweave. I'm going to tell you, I've tried to call Cororeef. Can I just have 30 more seconds? I call I tried getting in touch with Corref to actually just ask them questions to bring more information to the public. Couldn't get
a hold of them. So, I took a drive to Corlee. This is how much people do care about what is going on. Little does anybody know. Um, and I asked them to please contact me before this meeting so I can ask them questions so I can let people know what's going on. There are
people who are doing a lot of research. There is a lot of misinformation that's going on and it's sad because the general public is very upset about what is going on with these data centers. Uh, I needed more time, but listen, two more things. Uh, to the Kennorth Police
Department, to the Kennorth Police Department, thank you for stepping up and protecting our people. That's first and foremost. People could have been shot. I don't know if anybody knows, but they they pulled over a car that had a gun. Please, please respect our police officers. Thank you.
[laughter] >> Hi, my name is Chelsea. I'm from Kennaworth. I live on I mean from Cranford. I live on the border of Kennaworth. >> What's your address? >> Well, I would rather not address. I I don't feel comfortable giving my address. Um >> what's your means?
>> Yeah, I Yeah, I believe. Am I correct? She said give her address. >> I don't Yeah, I'm not giving my address. >> It's okay. She does not give the address. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. So So I know you're saying they're not going to use any water, but closed loop cooling systems actually use 70%
less water. [clears throat] So they're still going to be using water. They use 70% less water. This is [clears throat] a fact. >> Second. >> Okay. Can I just tell you that >> I don't I don't really I don't want to hear your answer because that's a fact.
>> I don't want her answer. It's my time. I'm reclaiming my time. Thank you. Um, the other thing I wanted to say is a 2025 investigative report just came out from an Amazon data center in Marorrow County, Oregon that the intensifying
local groundwater contamination was linked to rare cancers and miscarriages. Are you all okay with your neighbors babies dying and your neighbors dying of cancer? Because that's a possibility. >> Are you okay with that?
>> Are you okay with that? That's it. That's all I have to say. [applause] >> Anyone else from the place to come up and speak? [applause] >> I just have a statement. I've already asked a whole bunch of questions. I'm known for that. >> What I'm trying to address, please.
>> Can we get your address, please? >> I'm 21 North 6 Street in this lovely town for 54 years. Okay, now you are bringing us to these meetings and you're presenting us with something making it
all warm and fuzzy. This is good for the people at Kennaworth. Well, have any of you thought about the future? The future of our children >> who can be affected by whatever damage and disease can be brought on. Have you
analyzed that? You need to think of both sides and please think about the children, especially my three-year-old grandson. [applause] >> Am I me? >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, mayor.
>> Okay, >> go ahead. >> Can I start? >> Yes, you're on the clock. Bo Bob Bob Herbert uh 15 North 12 Street kind of works New Jersey >> a resident since uh 1988 [clears throat]
and I just have a few questions uh but before I do I want to thank the township attorney for taking the time to explain the uh land use law that a lot of people are not aware of. I wanted to personally thank I appreciate that. Okay. So, my
first question is, do we know if this application had to go to the county planning board and was it approved or it didn't need it? >> It's just >> Do we know? >> I'm not aware. >> I I I can tell you, Bob, that
subdivisions >> uh I mean the >> the plan, >> right? The data set. Do we know if it went to the county? Would anybody from from the town look into that? >> If we if maybe next meeting you can let
me know or somebody reach out and tell me once you get an answer elected officials I would appreciate that you know. All right. Uh the [clears throat] other question that I have is uh two more questions. One is last month, last
week's meeting at the planning board, several times the planning board told the public that there has been no plan submitted for any development there. Okay. We clarify that that's not true.
So, I want to ask the mayor and council here that appointed these people >> question, >> what action is going to be for misleading the public? That's that's my second question. And my third question, if anybody would like to answer it up
there, is if anybody saw NJ12 today, our governor, our new elected governor that's supposed to represent the people is putting a task force together to study where they can put new nuclear plants in New Jersey, not other states,
in New Jersey to offset the impact of our electrical infrastructure. So as our elected officials, I'm asking what are you guys going to do about this? Because at the end of the day, this business is coming has its pluses, has its minuses,
you know, uh I don't know enough about, you know, the data center, but I know one thing when when we hire people for a task force, when we start developing nuclear plants, yes, does it create jobs? Who pays for all this? We the
people, our taxes are going to go up again and again and again. When is that going to stop? We're the highest in the nation paying taxes. So my thing is when companies like this come in, they should incur these expenses of that the
government has to address, not we the people, the taxpayer. And that's all I have to say. Thank you very much. [applause] >> Thank you. Hello, my name is Renee. I prefer not to say my address. Thank you. Um, I just wanted to say thank you to William
William Marorrow because last week when we were here, we really got no answers at all. So, I just want to shout you out for giving us some some answers. Attorney as well. Thank you so much. Uh, it was very different compared to last week. Um, I just have a request if possible. Officer, can you turn that AC
off just for a second? Just I have a point to make. I promise. And everybody just be quiet. No texting for 10 seconds. Okay. Thank you. Everybody be quiet. I want you to listen to this sound. Raise your hand if you can hear like a humming in the background. All right.
So, I just want to identify a lot of us saw. If you didn't hear it, maybe get your ear strike respectfully. >> I hear that. >> Anyway, well, I mean, she has somebody there with her. I don't know. Maybe that's the sound of the person whispering to her. Um, so I just want to say there's a video going around on
Instagram about Vinland. The resident went outside and they recorded the humming sound in violent. We've all seen it. Okay. I I've met some amazing people here last week that we were walking around towns. Canoworth Union Cranford spreading awareness. Most people didn't know this was going on. Um and it's
amazing to see some of these people here. Hey. Um I just want to shout out Carol and Bill because they actually came here and they brought neighbors. It's amazing. It's amazing to come together. Um my point is I stood at a neighbor's backyard. It was public property on Walton Nav and I took a video. You can hear that same humming
out of Merk property. I just want to identify that. Feel free guys to go down Walton Nav and hear that same humming. Um, so thank you. You can turn the AC back on. I just think it's a little funny because we stand up to recite the pledge of allegiance. However, one nation under God, there's no
transparency. I hear you. Sign up for alerts, but that was only legislation. legislation signed that for March of 2026 of this year that public notices have to be on UNI websites. What about in September of 2024 and May of two uh two of last year? You can't be hide, you
can't hide behind that. You can't use that as an excuse. Um the other thing I want to identify, I actually live in Belleville. That fire, we all know about that fire. Before that fire happened, we were in a drought. So now you have a drought, you have a fire going on in Belleville. It's still going on. It is still going on. You can still see smoke
going on from that fire. It is insane. So what I want to say is we have these data centers, rapid AI data centers coming in. Vineland and Kennallorth, we have a concern for water right now. Lynn, we hear you saying it's glycol, glycol. There's still a water component. And the other thing that's concerning to
all of us in this room, water was just listed on the stock exchange. You can buy water. >> Is that not concerning for every human being, for our pets, everything? So, I just want to say really quick what I said last week. I grew up in the 80s
and 90s where there were infomercials saying like, "Hey, you don't live under power. Don't live near power lines." Now, we have apartment buildings underneath power lines and we have apartment buildings on contaminated lands. It's it's all about the money. I want to say just real quick 30 seconds. Thank you so much again. Um,
[clears throat] is that in there has been so much advancement in technology throughout my lifetime and I never got a chance to be like, "Oh my god, no, stop. This is my moment. We've had enough. My phone updating and automatically using AI to when I Google things. I didn't consent to this. It's It's ridiculous. I
think all of us should be concerned. I understand it was approved and whatever. I think there should be some concerns here by you by you of the council, by you of the planning board, from from those on the fire department. How are you going to fight fires in database centers? That's a completely brand new thing. Thank you for your time.
[applause] >> Thank you. Anyone else? I I would like to I would like to address one of the things. Yeah, please Quinn. Thank you. >> One of the things that you had mentioned asking us listen to the hum. I hear some of the computer fans and stuff. You're
not hearing a data center because the data center is not built yet. >> So there's a power plant that has been on that site. It has not shut the power down since she plow's been there. You can't shut it down because then it can't be turned back on. There's that's the
power plant that we're expecting to have there. So, it's already there. So, when we talk about in the Vineland I I'm not sure if Vinland had a power plant there before the data center went up. So, when I talk about the infrastructure not being apples to apples from all the projects that people are comparing to Kennallorth, that is actually one of the
points I'm trying to make. So, thank you. >> Yes. And I just to clarify, I'm not saying we can hear the data center right here because as blocks go on, you can't because I mean when they put more fans and things >> parkway in between, you're hearing cars where you're hearing >> not so much because when we were walking there wasn't a lot of cars. BUT I JUST WANT TO clarify for that fan that for
what we what we hear when the example of what I was saying, what the humming we hear in here, it's I don't know, maybe something else, the heat or something. It's an old building. But could you imagine hearing that humming 24/7 living within 200 ft of that facility? >> I'm not too far from the parkway. I hear
that humming all the time. It's the cars traveling on a roadway. >> If if you think so, THAT'S YOUR OPINION. THANK YOU. [laughter] >> OKAY. Thank you. >> Next speaker, please. >> Good evening. You can see the gentleman off to her
right. You can hear him whispering to her. >> Yeah. >> You can begin. >> My name is Riley Klo. R Y L E G. Oh my gosh, there's so many of them. R Y L E I G H C U C O L O 86 James Avenue,
Cranford, New Jersey. I should not be here right now. I have an AP test to study for, an 18th birthday party to plan, and a job I could be working at right now. Instead, I took off from work and I dragged my best friend here with me um to tell you and we're here. You
should not need a se seniors in high school to tell you that this data center is a bad idea. I should not be here doing your job for you. A quarter of a billion dollars. I let me repeat that. A quarter of a billion a quarter of a billion dollars of New Jerseys New Jersey residents tax dollars as
subsidies that have been given to a billion dollar private tech company. I cannot even visualize that much money. So tell me why do I and other people have to pay more taxes to pave the way >> for me. >> Excuse me. >> Very disrespectful >> to pave the way for companies like
Courtweave to come into our communities and establish themselves. >> See it there. Moving on to fresh water. Data centers typically consume fresh water to cool their servers. Most open loop systems can consume hundreds of thousands of gallons a day depending on their size.
While this specific data center is using a using a closed loop system with pry clean glycol which you may pointed out in your lovely Facebook post that I read myself. Water still needs to be initially withdrawn and transported to the data centers because it is commonly mixed with piping glycol and it is also
used to manage the servers to flush out any you know imperfections. You stated and I quote there will be no water usage or evaporation. You are incorrect. You are loud and wrong. Furthermore, New Jersey is in a drought warning. We we are in a drought warning.
You heard um this lovely woman speaking about the fire in Belville, which I've heard about myself. It's terrible. And this is also according to both the NADP and drought.gov. In light of this this drought, we the public have been told to conserve water, to postpone spring planting, install water efficient
fixtures in our home, then stop watering our lawns. Yet, you would allow a private tech company to come and withdraw upwards of thousands of gallons of walk water. Oh my goodness. Sorry. >> Yes. For a sprawling data center that was paid for by our tax dollars. You
also pointed out in your state statement on Facebook that there is no concern over the strain this will have on the power grid as a previous facility operated under its own substation. I failed to see personally how a substation for a previous pharmaceutical headquarters completely covers the power
needs for a 250 MEGAWATT DATA CENTER. >> [applause] >> THE US. >> I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING. >> Can you hear me now? >> I can't hear anything. hard time THE PRESENCE OF AND IT IS NOT comforting
>> and it is not comforting that the presence of many many data I'm going to keep talking for that the presence of many data centers around the US have been linked to higher electricity costs I am going to college this fall for environmental science if this is the trend we are seeing now what prices will
greet me when I return home when with my bachelors what about when I get my masters in the future the cost of living in New Jersey is getting so astronomically high. To say I'm concerned about my life after college is an understatement. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Well known people. [applause] We don't KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO STAY IN
THEIR LIFE when they exit college. [bell] If you um Mayor Carlo want to believe these lies that have companies giants feed you, be my guest. But being in a position of power and subjecting your residents to the faults of your naive and ide idealistic hopes is irresponsible.
You are looking at the faces of hundreds of people who have taken time out of their week to do research and come here and beg you not to do this. You have constantly swept concerns under the rug instead citing this data center as a substantial financial opportunity while ignoring concerns. They are the ones who
are going to experience the future problems this will cause. >> I could I would like to address something with you quickly. >> I am not finished. >> Well, yes, I am the mayor. However, I didn't I didn't I could talk about [laughter] the economical impact of this data center
>> all night long. The pollution from construction, water usage, because that is why what I originally came here to talk about. I love science. I love the planet. I'm an environmentalist. But you don't listen to science. You don't listen to statistics. You never cited any sources in your Facebook post
with the um magical private uh sounds sound study that was conducted, which you you did just give a source. Thank you. My services came from >> they always say better late than ever. >> So I thought so I thought maybe if I come in here and yell at you like a child, you would begin to understand the
impact that this data center would have on the environment and the residents of Kennor. What it comes down to is that we don't want it. The residents don't want it in their backyards. They don't want their tax dollars going to private tech companies. That is the end of the discussion and is all I have to say. Thank you.
[applause] >> So the last speaker I hope that you show up to Trenton because you name noted a lot of things that are well beyond Kennallorth. You everybody keeps mentioning tax abatements or or rebates that didn't come from us. That came from the state. So there are state
representatives and lobbyists that you could talk to there. We have zero control over many of the things that people are noting here today. So, we could we could keep hearing them. I won't mention that again. The tax rebate did not come from Kennorth taxpayers.
Kennorth taxpayers are not paying for a tech company to be in town. >> So, I'll leave my comment at that. Please, I'm sorry. Your turn. Sorry. Uh, good evening. My name is Dr. Randph Sanchez, board certified physician and
the director of rheatology at a local community hospital here in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. The first question I have to ask to everyone on this body is one. Did you consult with an expert in immunology, allergy immunology, hematology, oncology or rheumatology
before making any of these decisions? >> I think your questions for the planning board. I know you're not going to like hearing that, but when I am not on the planning board, I am not. And this is not the planning board. This is the governing body. And >> is the answer yes or no? >> You you're asking the wrong body the
question. Okay. approved. >> Has anyone on this body consulted or spoken with a medical professional in any of this capacity? Yes or no? >> No. >> All right. So, I will tell you my clinic treats patients who have lupus, shogun, scleraderma, rheumatoid arthritis, ankle
losing spondylitis, and various other autoimmune diseases. And one of the things that we know is that environmental factors and exposures could potentially increase risk for developing these kinds of diseases. So, what I'm going to tell you is this. There's only 7,000 rheumatologists in the entire country. We're a very small
specialty, but we're hyper specialized when it comes to immunology and autoimmune disorders. And what we are actively going to be doing is surveilling in this particular area for clusters for any new breakouts in autoimmune disorders. What we will be then doing is then getting a database
for future potentially necessary means. That is the biggest problem and concern that I have with this database being built here. I'm a resident of Union, New Jersey. So, I'm going to be around this area for quite a bit of time studying these particular anomalies and hoping
that they are very minimal. But what I can tell you is that we're seeing a rise in autoimmune disorders in general and data centers are no different at emitting certain kinds of uh uh environmental uh pollutants, specifically particles that are below 25 microns. Nitric nitric oxide is usually
released in very large quantities at data centers. So, we will be watching. Are you aware of any such studies that Governor Murphy did when he in >> Governor Murphy is not a physician. He's not a scientist. He's not the one who's going to raise any of these. >> The reason why these companies are getting their tax evasion [laughter]
to be able to want the reality is that we're not the ONES THAT MAKE THOSE. you will still be the ones who are going to be approving this decision for this to be exposing the people of this community to any potential pollutants. All right. And if it went to union,
what's to say the union would people wouldn't let it in? The the incentive is clear yet right now. You're talking about something that's completely out of talking about your decision and what's happening here. Guys, I respect your profession. You are a scientist. So, you
must know that correlation and causation are not the same thing. And I applaud >> there's increased surmounting evidence to show correlation and that's exactly what we are going to be observing. >> The causation will get there too. I applaud you for the work that you're going to be doing. I will be following your studies. >> Thank you for your time.
>> Great things. [applause] >> I can't hear. >> Hi, my name is Amanda. Um, my address is 1385 Galloping Hill Road in Union. My grandma has been living here for almost
over 30 years. Um, I just have a really simple question. Um, my question is, how is the AI data center, which is going to be built directly across the street from my grandmother's home, which she has been inhabiting for the past over 30
years, how is this going to benefit her in any way? What what are the positives to my elderly grandmother having to live directly next to a construction site that is going to keep her up, give her unnecessary pollution that she will be breathing in?
I'm I'm just genuinely confused. I don't understand how you guys and you were just talking about, oh, correlation does not equal causation. So, are you waiting for my grandmother and these people who are going to be directly next to the data center to be the causation? I'm just genuinely confused because you have
the power to prevent things now, but it just goes to show that you don't care. You don't care about humans. You don't care about us. You don't. You don't care about the health. You don't care about the health of these people. >> Okay, I'm going to say it again. I am
the mayor. I do not vote I didn't vote on the redevelopment and I didn't vote on the data center. >> You don't understand our form of government. >> You're throwing I actually my question didn't have anything TO DO WITH THAT. MY
QUESTION was very simple. My question was how is the AI data center being built directly across the street from my grandmother's home going to positively impact her 80-year-old life? That is my question. That is my question to you.
since you said that it's going to help our community so much. This data center that is going to be built right next to my grandmother's home that will keep her up every single night. There's already construction going on there. How is this going to positively affect my grandmother who has been living here for
over 30 years was not informed in any sort of way. And don't you dare say social media or the internet. My grandmother doesn't even KNOW HOW TO USE TECH. So please, I need you to have some sense here. >> [applause] >> So I I don't I don't know if your
question is rhetorical or not, but the site that it was a pharmaceutical lab. I'm not sure if you had the same concerns about health and all that. >> I was actually um literally 7 years old while that was happening. So I couldn't I couldn't REALLY DO MUCH ABOUT THAT. BUT YOU SEEM YOU SEEM VERY like of age. So it seemed like you had a lot of time
to think about that and WORK ON THAT. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE POSITION THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN. I TRUST you position that you are wise and I'll accept that. THANK YOU. [laughter] >> ANSWER MY QUESTION.
>> ANSWER MY SIMPLE QUESTION. HOW IS A DATA CENTER? >> HOW IS A DATA center being built directly across the street from my GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE GOING TO POSITIVELY IMPACT HER? AND YOU CAN SIT THERE AND YOU CAN SMILE ALL YOU WANT CUZ YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY. >> I'M SMILING BECAUSE YOU told me I'm old
in FRONT OF EVERYBODY HERE MY AGE. I WOULD SAY THAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO YOU WANT AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION or you just want to talk over ME >> CUZ ANSWER MY QUESTION RIGHT NOW. >> I think economic vibrancy of a community is a positive thing for everybody in a
community and I don't think there's any positive thing from having a vacant quad of land across the street from your grandmother either. >> I I made my point. All right, I'm done. >> Whatever. >> Literally, the money could go to anything else. Like they said, parks
that you supposedly want to end the vandalization here. >> Have a nice night. >> HAVE A NICE NIGHT. THESE ARE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO be working for. >> You should be ashamed OF YOURSELF. YOU ARE YOU [screaming] ARE GREEDY. ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS MONEY. YOU DON'T CARE
ABOUT AN OLD WOMAN LIVING DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET [screaming] FROM THE DATA CENTER. YOU DON'T CARE. DISTRACT. WAIT FOR HER TO ANSWER. LET HER ANSWER. >> We're not having a discussion. You're I
think YOU'VE MADE YOUR POINT. [laughter] >> STOP DISTRACTED. >> Is there something you wanted to add, Mayor Carl? >> MY ONE QUESTION WAS, HOW IS THE data center being built across the street [screaming] FROM MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOME GOING TO positively impact her life?
>> WHEN ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS GARDEN, HOW IS THAT GOING TO POSITIVELY IMPACT her life? How could you answer a question like that? [laughter] >> Well, I I kind of did with economic vibrancy. She didn't LIKE THE ANSWER. >> OH, THAT THANK YOU. EXACTLY. SO, THERE
are no benefits. No benefits. >> ZERO. [cheering] >> My name is Clara Halt. I live at 362 Franklin Avenue here in >> Kennorth. >> We can hear you. >> My name is Clara Halt. I live at 362
Franklin Avenue here in Kennallorth. I've only recently moved to the area. I bought my house in October 2025. I would not have bought this property had I known that a data center was being built locally. Well, you could say I did not do my due diligence, uh, that the information was available on the burough
website, but this inrogress data center was not on any of the aggregated lists of inrogress data centers that I searched before putting my life savings into this home. So, no, it was not readily apparent that this was being
built until the until it caught the news like wildfire last month. Plenty of people have already spoken here about the environmental and health impact, but what about the employment impact of data centers? You say that this will bring in just under 150 new jobs, but what about
the jobs that these data centers remove? Artists, graphic designers, authors, copy editors, clerks, receptionists, office workers, and many, many, many others. The plagiarism machine of generative AI does little but ruin the livelihoods of the taxpayers in your community. I have no faith in and cannot
in good conscience ever vote for anyone who ever approved of this development and I will make it my personal business to make sure that no one involved is reelected. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, my name is Amelia Marky. I live at
547 Hunter A, Scotch Plains. Um, this is one of the few issues where it kind of makes sense for people from outside of your burrow to come and comment because this project could have a potentially larger radiant impact than just chem work. Um, so I had a well first I would
like to just um use my time to ask you guys a question um just a procedural question receive an answer and then if possible use the rest of my time for comment um and if the council would like to respond after the comment has ended. Um, so the qu the question that I have
is kind of procedural, which is I think we're all wondering. Um, so you clarified um that the council does not have the power to halt this. It's the planning board's power. Um, so I'm curious what avenues are left for the planning board if they were to decide.
There's a lot of push back. We would like to terminate this project. Like if Kennorth decides we don't actually want this here, what avenues are left um open for terminating the project? I don't know if you can speak to that. >> I didn't and I don't maybe I said
something close to that. I I don't recall saying anything about the planning board being able to halt it either. The approval was granted. There are rights that are vested. The zoning was in place at the time that the approval was granted.
I don't think the planning board or the governing body have available to them anything avail that could undo that. Even if they changed the zoning, it would have been the the right still would have been vested and it would stay with the property. It's under
construction as long as the use continues even if the uh law is changed, even if the the redevelopment plan is changed and it does and it no longer permits uh a data center. as long as it's operational and continues to operate, it will have the right to
continue. >> Okay. So, just to clarify that I understood, it sounds like unless the law changes uh in some form, the project, there would be no possibility for the project to change or be ended unless the law changed. Is that right? >> They own the property. They have a
vested right to develop it. They're the ones that could change >> their mind. Okay. >> But other than that, there's nothing this governing body could do to prevent them. and and if they tried to do something, I would imagine we'd be in litigation.
>> Okay. So, I guess it sounds like there's no option for count at this point to say we don't want the project or to change it. >> Is that correct? I just wanted to know like is there any option that it would be halted? There's
none legally. >> I I can't comment. I'm not aware of any. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um well I guess I would just like to clarify a point about water usage. Um so Bluefield Research an organization that supplies companies internationally
with water market intelligence whose clients include Amazon and Oracle notes that many data centers display only their direct water usage and obscure their indirect water usage which is typically much higher. From their November 2025 article data center water
secrecy hurts communities and the industry itself. Quote, "In 2025, US data centers will directly withdraw 107 million gallons of water per day and consume approximately 60% of that water, primarily due to cooling needs. Considering that accounts for a mere
0.5% of total direct industrial water consumption in the US, the direct water usage for data centers appears quite insignificant. However, when accounting for indirect usage water attributed to data center electricity demand at thermal electric power plants, the
number balloons. According to Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, in 2023, data centers accounted for 211 billion gallons of indirect water consumption at power plants, nearly 10 times that of on-site data center wattage consumption for the same year. Heightening this
challenge is the rapid growth of electricity demand by data centers, which has been forecasted to grow from 4% of total US electricity demand in 2023 to as high as 12% in 2028. Again, quoting from the same article, for example, a leaked Amazon internal
memo showed the company strategized to downplay its indirect water use and avert scrutiny prior to its 2022 water positive campaign launch. So, I would encourage the council, if you care about where you live, um maybe there's no option to halt this project at the moment, but to continue to research it
and find out what you might be living next door to. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, I'm Ben. Uh Christine Bennett, 368 Drive. Um I have in front of me a copy of the redevelopment plan. So my very
first question is, is there a redevelopment agreement? So I'm going to be very specific, an agreement with poor Reef currently being negotiated or finalized and I can reference where in the plan
you need a separate agreement from the plan. Did we actually get to the point where we did a reasonable [snorts] >> doing a redevelopment agreement? >> There is no current agreement. >> Okay. >> There is no current agreement with Core
Reef. >> Okay. So in that case we do have an avenue >> to repeal this inside the redevelopment plan. It says the redevelopment entity and the bureau reserve the right to
terminate any redevelopment agreement with a redeveloper subject to the terms and conditions of such redevelopment agreement. But one doesn't exist yet. Interesting. >> So there is actually an avenue to stop
this. You hear all of us saying that we want this stopped? Okay. And then one last question and it could be a show of hands. Um who is not in an NDA with Goref?
[laughter] >> I'm sorry. you know, beholding to an NDA. >> I don't have an NDA and I'm not raising my hand because we're not obligated to do what you want us to do from the questions. >> We're we're here. We're here. EXCUSE ME.
WE ARE HERE to listen. >> We are here to listen. >> We are here to listen to you. a question. >> Why why would you ask that? >> Because without a redevelopment
agreement already, but then council saying it's too late and not actual data backed up proof of sources of what they're promising us. I am wondering if they are lying to you and then keeping
you. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. like hung up by an NDA that you can't change your minds, you can't speak about it because you're beholden to that. I >> would be an unethical thing.
>> I take issue with that. That is an unethical thing to do, >> right? >> And none of us up here would do anything unethical. >> It is legal to do currently. So just make but I do agree it's unethical.
There is a bill that is being passed in the state or hopefully will be passed in the state banning local officials from going into NDAs with developers data centered developers. It hasn't passed
which means that is happening that is happening in other places. So, I want to know because it also limits what you're able to tell us. If you did or didn't, that's okay. >> No, no one on the governing body signed any kind of agreement. No NDA.
>> No, that did not happen. No. >> Great. And do we agree that there is still a legal avenue based on your redevelopment plan that this can be stopped? >> I can't speak to that. I'm not an attorney. So, that would either be
the burrow and planning board attorney. I >> I'm communicating right now with our redevelopment attorney. >> Great. >> Uh just I'm not going to have an answer for you instantaneously. So >> um I would like to meet with you to
exchange information >> after the meeting I suppose. Okay, >> I'll give you my card. It depends what time we get out here tonight, but I'll give you my card. We'll talk certainly offline if not here tonight. >> Sounds good. >> But everybody got that, right? like
there. [applause] >> I see that the mayor is no longer with us. >> That's okay. >> As council president, I'm presiding over the meeting. >> Um, my name is Samantha Limeberger. I live on East Grant Avenue in Roseel
Park, New Jersey. As many others here have said, this project will not just impact Kennorth, it will impact the surrounding areas. And I just wanted to uh point out a couple things about um decibel levels and noises from the data center. Um my father works in IT and I
asked him regarding the sounds that come from data centers. And it is not just the power plant uh that is fueling the data center that is causing uh noise. it will come from cooling fans, HVAC and other um technology related things
within the data center. Um I also found a study that says that the noise impact can reach between 2.5 and 5 miles. So I did a radar and from the data center that would include Clark, Westfield, Mountainside, Cranford, Rosell Park, Roselle, Garwood, Elizabeth, Union,
Hillside, Lynden, and Milbour. I might have missed a couple. Um, on top of all of that, I calculated the amount of people that it would impact. At minimum, uh, per with a decel with a noise, it would impact 246,745
people and approximately at most around 360, uh,,000 people. Um, it has been documented that decibel levels above, uh, 85 dB are damaging to ears. And it has been recorded in other uh data
center sites that decibel levels reach between 75 and 85 uh decibb. So I'm just wondering I understand that coreweave was the one who gave the study regarding the decibel level but is there any outside group that is also making sure
that that is the case >> that has not been hired by core. Again, this is a question for the planning board process where they have to have the escrow payment question came up before. That's what the money [clears throat] is used for for the independent review of what the statements are,
>> but they refuse to answer questions about data center. >> So, why are they going to answer questions about data center? But they refuse to tell us there was a data center. >> I I cannot comment for the planning board. We're not at the planning board. This is the this is the council meeting.
I am not on the planning board to even give insight to that. >> Is there a planning board meeting coming up? >> There's one every month. I believe it's the last Tuesday. Council Scaris, is that correct? Last Tuesday of every month. >> The last Tuesday of every month is the next planning board meeting. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. [applause] >> Uh hello. Uh my name is Sophia Nazero of 37 St. Paul Street, Westfield. Uh, so I would like to uh I feel like you are with this data
center we like like nobody want like this entire room is filled up with people who do not want it. When we were outside before with our uh no AI signs, they were there were tons of cars and
trucks honking their agreement at us. Some of them worse rocks with Kennallworth businesses. I think if we have this thing, what businesses are going to move out of Kennallorth and what people are going to move out of Kennelorth and you're going to lose the
town money. You're going to you're like, "Oh, it's going to bring in tax money. We're going to there's not going to be as many people to pay taxes." Like [snorts] so if like I just feel like I and also if
you if you don't like if you pass this that that nobody agrees with they're less likely to vote for you too. And like we also we don't know if this is going to cause like
we like AI at data centers are so new we don't know is it going to cause what diseases we've already addressed that but we don't know if it's going to cause some kind of natural disa or not natural disaster but the equivalent of like a
nuclear thing or like you know what's the AI version of that and will will we Will everybody have to evacuate the area that like we don't know which one we don't know what's gonna happen. We don't know which data center is gonna fail
first. Right. >> So that is all I have to say. Thank you. [applause] >> Hello Debbie G. Vernon a Kennaworth New Jersey. I will not be moving out of Kennaworth because it's six generations here. But I do have a couple questions.
Does Core Weave own the entire site? >> No. >> So, they only own the subdivision, those four pieces that the planning board was doing last week. >> I I believe it's the four they were talking about and the one that they're actively working on. >> And when they bought that, were you guys
aware that they were going to put the data center in or you had no idea? >> Yes. >> There there was rumbling of it. Yes. >> I have to say there was a lot of um news publications about Cororeweed moving to New Jersey
like it was if you were watching MJ2 >> I did see that Cororee had moved in there but every time I asked somebody what's going in there I really didn't get an answer they were saying maybe housing maybe this and I found out because actually Linda did post that
post which I was happy she posted it because I knew nothing about it and I can see Merc from my house. So, my last question is, I'm not here to attack anybody. I just want to know if somebody with knowledge can tell me the pros and
the cons. You guys live in Kennaworth, so I want to know if you know any cons that you would say it's not good or what are the pros? What What is it going to do for Kennaworth? What are the pros about it and what are the cons? That's what I'd like to know. >> Okay. Well, that thank you. Fair question. Um, especially coming from a
resident worried about the things that are really going on in town. Uh, and when I I mean I I was talking about it inside of my finance report about what the last 5 years of taxes had looked like. And we're at a point now where we can have tax stability in this town, the increased ratables from having one plot
of land divided into five. These are economically beneficial for the town folk of Kennorth. Um, if if you've lived here, you know that we've had a little bit of a runaway with the taxes lately. So, I think from where I sit as the chairman of the finance committee, I'm
most positive or that's my biggest pro, if you will. I think we're literally looking at another industrial revolution. Uh, you could you could debate it all you want. This is like the internet coming again, but in 2026. Uh, I AI is everywhere. The woman said here
that you can't even Google anything now without having it. It's ironic to me that we'll post on Facebook FA and and be against the data center while that is operated by only data centers. So the the irony is pretty high. But that's the thing. Kennorth is going to be in the
center of what is going to be the future of our country and the world because of this. You could say that all you want. I'm not sure anybody would deny it. I I'm I'm addressing the pros from my opinion. That's what I was asked. So
thank you everybody. Now from from all the prosides. Okay, and this is where I want everybody to think about what if Cororeweave wasn't there. What would we have done with the massive it's onethird of our town that we have a plot of land, one-third of Kennallorth, and
we want it to remain vacant. We don't want economic activity going there. That is not beneficial for the people of Kennorth. Now, if we want to talk about the cons, I'm hearing a lot of hyperbole. can't hear him and I'm up here so I'd appreciate it if it could be quiet so I
can hear what he's saying. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The the cons, if we want to talk about them, uh I I think that I would have loved to have seen a business come in there where it's going to be a thousand employees, not 140 some odd. But that's the way the future is working with data
centers. So I'm not I mean you can't stand up and put your hand up to stop a wave. That doesn't work. So we have economic activity that was incentivized by the state going to move to New Jersey. So when we think about the energy rates, I hear that as a con. Kennorth doesn't set energy rates. It's
not a 07033 and for those of you who don't live here, that's our zip code. It's not an energy rate for Kennaworth. My understanding is PSEG charges a rate for their service in New Jersey. So anything that's happening in the state of New Jersey, be it here, be it in Vinland, be it somewhere else in the
state, it's going to be shared impact. So you have the state letting these companies in with tax incentives. That's a draw. They're going to go somewhere. So if we want to itemize the cons and we want to pick apart the energy usage of it. I'm not sure that anything can be
done if you protest here. You'd have to protest every single place. And they're going to come somewhere. You're not going to keep them out of New Jersey with the protesting. I'm sorry. Um the reality is they're here. They're here because the economic incentive the state wants them here. So the misguided or or
misdirected I should say aggravation towards this council it is a little bit misdirected because you should be talking to your representatives at the state level. They're the ones incentivizing them to come in. So then we talk about that con I I've done my own little research every I use chat GPT
and Google as well. It's AI how ironic. And the things that I notice is that there are data centers built in water scarce areas. This is not one of those areas. While we talk about drought conditions that come seasonally, they're actually putting them in places that
have no water ever. So when you when you start looking at the stories, the sensationalism of those stories, they're actually pulling out what's being done in the worst possible places. I saw the whole thing about there was a data center in Texas where you could see the lights for miles. These are places where
you can actually see the stars. You can't do that in my backyard in Kennallorth. There's light pollution in all of the Northeast. It's not something that we have to worry about. So when I was talking about all the infrastructure issues before, all the cons that we keep hearing about, it's suspecting that things are going to happen. We're not
actually comparing the insinuating. And I want to ask this. >> So what you're telling me is as a resident of Kennaworth, nothing is going to change. My electric bill is not going to go skyhigh. Water's not going to get dumped into the Rowway River, and we're going to get, you know,
>> dumping is illegal. Your electric rates, if you stay in New Jersey, will likely be the same as they were in Kennaworth versus some others. >> They have their own electrical grid that they're paying their own. >> They are going to be using some electric from the grid. They're going to be just like the other site uh uh owners of the
property were. There's a power plant on the grid on that site. It will supply some of the power. >> Yes. Some. And I >> And we're supplying the rest of the power. >> We we as the people of Kennorth know PSEG has done work. I mean, if you know, Market Street got paved over because
they had to rip up the ground and put more lines in, larger lines that can handle the capacity. We benefited from that from having our roads paved over after they had to do that. So, there are >> going to pave them again because they ripped it up again >> and they're and we're going to have fresh pavement again. And if you
remember Market Street two years ago is like driving on the moon. So when you're not from Kennallorth and you don't know the things that we've been dealing with here in our tax situation, our roadway situation, having one-third of our property vacant where we used to have vibrant businesses, this is a positive
in so many different ways. So I'm sitting here, I was elected by the people of Kennorth and I'm proud to be up here to do good for the people of Kennorth. I made a report about getting our taxes down to the lowest level they've been in 5 years and we're on a trend to go even lower >> because this is going in. I was just
going to say that the more the the better they are because of what they can bring larger buildings and more land uh permits to be to be issued. That's all revenue to our town. And I'm not saying this is all about the revenue. That's a benefit for a town that's needing the
revenue. I mean, we've been dealing with the taxes here for a while. the benefit to our country to just understanding what is being ushered in with these data centers. It is something that we are going to be in a race for on a geopolitical scale and I'm happy to see
Kennorth in the center of that. >> Another question, my taxes went up almost $2,000 in two years. Will they come down some? >> Every time we do taxes, Ken is sick of hearing this from me, but I start out with I want to give everybody back a dollar. What can we do? We're never trying to look for a tax increase
anymore. >> Well, if we're going to be getting a lot of money from them, why wouldn't our taxes go down? >> I'm with you, Ken. Next year, we're gonna have some things to talk about. Ken's our CFO. Um, he works with our committee every year to try to do our taxes. And I'm I am with you on that. If
we're going to be vibrant because we have a company that's come in, investing $1.8 billion, what does it mean to the people of Kennaworth? And can we get some affordability back here? It's the biggest issue everywhere. And we have a we have a way to solve some of this now. And I understand a lot of the protests
and a lot of the concerns and they've been considered and you're asking very good questions. >> Is the water pressure going to go down for Union Kennorth cuz I'm hearing maybe our water pressure. >> We've asked our fire department to look into that. I don't think you've triggered any kind of concern, Mike, to us about the water pressure issues.
These these are these are active things that we're looking at. >> I can't get answers. I mean, the water company doesn't I don't have an inside track of the water company. I really can't give any >> But will you guys find out all these
things that everyone's asking and then >> you know talk about it >> doing our best. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Is there a possibility? I'm going to speak for New Jersey
American Water, but generally before they'll issue a hookup permit. >> Is that better? Okay. >> Yeah. I don't want to speak for New Jersey American Water because they supply the water to to the area, but generally in with a when a developer
applies for a water hookup to supply water to a development, the water company will verify that they have adequate supply before they'll give them a permit. The water company generally will not issue a permit that's going to deplete their supply because that's not that's not to their advantage. So, um I
don't want to speak for them. We can look into it, but uh I would be very I would be doubtful that the water company would give them a hookup permit if it's going to greatly impact their system. >> Um does the Environmental Protection Agency of the state also have to uh
they're going to analyze thisly and also if there was any issues they would uh have the authority to strike. >> Yeah, the DP only gets involved if it's over a certain gallonage per day. Um I'm not sure what they're using but so there are times when D would get involved but
the water company also has uh what's called a uh I don't call it master permit with D. So the water company has to answer the D. So when they issue uh water hookups um every year they have to justify their allocation to the D and um
if they cannot uh say provide the paperwork at the end of the year when they report to the D have to show that when they issued their permits they have the adequate supply. That's the process. I don't know what happened. I wasn't involved in it. I could look into it but that's generally how it works when um
when a developer applies for a water permit. Hi, >> good evening. My name is Annette Deandopoulos. I live on Madison Avenue in Cranford. Um, thank you for your time. I know this is trying for
everyone. Um, and I'm here because I I do care about Kennallorth. It's not just because, oh, I'll be affected. I I care about everybody that shares this earth with me. Um, I'll try to keep this focused on process, record, and
unresolved questions. This board has already taken multiple actions to facilitate the redevelopment of on Galloping Hill Road, including resoning and adopting a redevelopment framework. Within that framework, a data center use
case was introduced and contemplated, incorporated into the master plan and subsequently uh coreweave became a tenant of Onyx. Since that time, the record reflects multiple material changes to the project
configuration, including subdivision of the property, transfer of portions of the site, and Core Weave's transition from tenant to principal applicant with the expanded project scope. Those changes are significant because they
affect scale, intensity, and permanence of use. That means when Mr. Miola testified during one of the resolutions that the application for the substation would meet the decibel levels. He was
testifying correctly. However, if that was put together with the whole, would it still pass these um these configurations? The record further reflects that additional subdivisions and related approvals have been processed in phases
including approvals associated with electrical infrastructure components while other elements of the project have been or are being reviewed separately. This is a concern. It was very clear from the beginning that this was going to be a data center.
Yet it was permitted to be subdivided multiple times so as not to be responsible or beholdened for the compiled results. As a result, the project is being advanced through a series of discrete applications rather
than a single comprehensive submission evaluating total bu total buildout impacts as one integrated project. There are also procedural concerns reflected in the public record of [clears throat] the April 24th and May 15, 2025 hearings, including multiple
special meetings at special times under special circumstances, expedited scheduling requests, guidance from zoning board members, and making sure the applications went fluidly, and indications that site activity commenced
or was discussed prior to full completion of permitting. This I think is your domain. These are observable in the meeting recordings and related documentation. This raises clear a clear question for the record. What procedural decisions
were made to accelerate review and sequencing of approvals and where is that full explanation documented for full public review? And it also raises necessary planning questions for clarity. Was the redevelopment framework used as the
guiding framework for determining the recommended use of the site? [clears throat] Was it written to accommodate the evolving scope of the proposal? Those are materially different planning sequences and the distinction matters for legal sufficiency and
understanding. Ultimately, this comes down to process, integrity, and completeness of review. Thank you for letting me go over a few moments, mayor. I I know this is a difficult job, [clears throat] but I have to say while the bare minimum
procedural notice requirements may have been met, the structure and timing of procedures, all the extra special attention and meetings and schedulings that were provided to Coreeave don't come near anything that was done for
this town or anyone in the supporting towns. Having transparency after this goes public over a year after this was accepted is not enough. It's just not enough. So to be clear, the public has not relinquished its right to understand
what is being approved in full scope and the board retains the responsibility to ensure that approvals reflect complete, transparent and cumulative analysis of the impacts, not a segmented review that obscures the total effect.
[clears throat] At this stage, there remain unresolved questions regarding sequencing, scope, and cumulative impact analysis. Those questions should be answered on the record with supporting data that reflects the full scope of the project
before any additional irreversible approvals or further construction progresses are made. [clears throat] We are not beholden to these entities. Someone testified here before that we are not even in an agreement. Okay,
these are people who apply immense pressure to deploy infrastructure rapidly creating these conflicts. Our voice precedes their profits. We are your shareholders and we come first. Thank you. [applause]
>> Can I just say somebody left their sweater? I don't know whose sweater this was. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hi. My name is uh Dillard Adoya. I live in Union 2616 Hawthorne Avenue. >> And um I'm sorry. Can you read your name? I don't have my glasses. >> William.
>> William. Okay. So, you're telling everybody that obviously like you [clears throat] care about your townsmen, yada yada yada. But if I'm being fair with you, it sounds like money's talking. $1.8 uh billion dollar deal, right? It seems like you just want it on your resume. Because if I'm being
honest, like um a whole AI data center being built right next to where people live is like completely unnecessary. There's so much land in the US. I'm I will be honest. It's a lot of land. And all your people here, like every these
are your people. They're all right here telling you that it's kind of weird that you're doing this. And not only that, that like there's noise complaints of like the the the building, the whole site, the people, they're building um random like towers like on the sidewalk
and I'm talking to people on the street, me, I'm walking around doing your job essentially and comforting people telling them like, "Yo, I also don't know what's going on. Come to this meeting, which is this one, and talk about it. Voice your concerns cuz people are confused. Everybody's coming up here saying that they don't they never even
knew this was a deal. They didn't even know that they're building an AI data center data center. The mayor, which is the one who left. Like, let's all clap it up for the mayor, guys. She can't do anything. The mayor was here on the last meeting, didn't say a word, acted like she was, I
don't know, like a a puppet or something, and then she's up here on a Zoom or something. I don't I really don't understand what her deal is. I'm not going to get in that cuz I only have a minute left. But um you brought up uh pros about how um economically it's a
good thing. Now economic development relies on a multiplier effect, right? The idea that one business generates five more. Restaurant needs a laundry service. A factory needs a local part supplier. Data center is a closed loop. Everything they need from service to specialized cooling software is shipped
in from global vendors. They don't shop local. They don't partner with local businesses. They they're literally an island. We are trading land that could be used for a mix of housing, parks, local entrepreneurship for a static silent box, which I really don't understand why like you guys.
[applause] Now, a town is a living organism, not a server rack. We should be building places for people, not for processors. Let's not sell our town's physical identity for a few dozen jobs and a tax check that might never truly materialize. Let's vote for a vibrant,
human- centered future instead. And now I know you said that like AI is the big future yada yada yada. I get that. Like I'm not an idiot. Like the internet popped up. A lot of people like scary, but it's here now. We're using it. But once again, AI dentist. They're saying people are saying please don't build
them by my house. And what are you going to do? Build it by the house. I don't understand. Like dude, that's really all I have to say. You're tripping. Thank you. Thank you for the comments. I I'll I'll be the first to admit I would have loved to have had a Top Golf in town, but you know what? They didn't come and
purchase the land. The data center company did. And we don't really get the right to tell people what they can and can't buy. This is America. So, no, we don't. Um, so listen, listen. I would have >> money. I want to address something you said. I would have loved to have had some business and entertainment thing.
Even at David Busters, I'd go there with my kids. But, you know, you were talking about some things about not having these data centers next to homes. You probably know, you've lived in New Jersey. You're a union guy. You know [clears throat] how congested the state is. We are actually the most congested state in the entire country with the amount of people
living in a square mile of each other. So how could the state be so incentivized or these data excuse me data center companies are so incentivized by the state. So the state representatives have a lot to do with this and I ask you a question. Have you told them your concerns because you're
here in Kennallorth telling us yours. What have you done? >> I've definitely told them my concerns as well. So I applaud you for that because that's where I think you can make a difference for incentivizing these data centers to come in. We didn't give him a tax break. We did not do that when the announcement that uh Councilwoman Gio
Paserna was talking about. I actually remember that press release. Governor Murphy was in there applauding on this. This is a state level issue. All right. So a lot of people are showing up to the local meetings with the concerns. But I just asked you, are you doing the same thing in Trenton? Are you showing up there? And I think you should because
you you're well articulated. You've got stuff on your phone that sounds like it came from an AI sort of search. >> Oh wow. Very very interesting. THE GUY WHO JUST TOLD us that he was his tattoo and yada yada yada. It sounds like that AI search sorry. Did I cut you off? That
was highly disrespectful. Actually highly disrespectful. [laughter] I'm sorry. >> Shame on you. Honestly, on me all you want. The reality is everybody searching on the internet to talk to us about this, reading us articles, there's AI >> and the reality is that you just assume that ISIS stood up. STICK TO THE FACTS.
>> STICK to the facts, PLEASE. >> I WASN'T HERE to insult you or jab at you. I'm just trying to make a point that everybody's pulling their phone out and reading some notes, bro. It's called a notes app. That's [laughter] fine. >> I'm not trying to pull anybody out here. But I WOULD APPLAUD
>> I WOULD APPLAUD ANYBODY going to their state rep to talk about the things the state is doing. >> May I begin? >> You can begin. >> Um I'm Maria. I live in Union County. I don't feel comfortable disclosing my actual address. Um I'm going to talk
about something a little different perspective. So I'm Maria and I'm a local pediatric emergency department nurse. I chose this line of profession to serve and protect the community and I would really hope that y'all chose your positions to serve on this board for the
same reasons. In any profession where you are on the front lines of the community, there is so much frustration. I am frustrated with my patients all the time for so many reasons. It is very easy to get burnt out and put oneself in a you against them position because you're tired and you don't necessarily
agree with them. Let's be real, y'all have been getting yelled at all night. Um, and that's not easy. I often experience the same thing with my with concerned parents. But [clears throat] these are the cries of concern and passion. And when I have worried family members, I still keep my composure
because I am the professional in the situation. I can't say that all of you have handled this meeting with that same grace. And I meet them where they are at and do my best to address their concerns. Not just acknowledge them, but take action on them. What I'm seeing here is a group of
burntout individuals. I say that because if you were in the prime of your positions, upholding the oath that you took to serve our community, there would be many differences. Or maybe you came into this role with that attitude. But that would be a shame. And I want to give you the benefit of the doubt here. You would
listen to what we're saying instead of simply being defensive. As people in positions of advocacy, and who hold more power than the people we are serving, it is our duty to hear their concerns and move forward considering their wants and needs. You all and all of us may not
agree on the risks versus benefits of this data center, but we can all but what we can agree on is that the people of this community taking their time away from their jobs, their families, their daily lives to be here tonight and an extra 30 minutes for your executive
meeting do not want this data center to be built. Do you think I always agree with my patients of care? Absolutely not. But I took an oath to serve them. Yes, advise and educate them to some degree, but at the end of the day, their wants and needs are what I took an oath
to serve, not my own. I advise you to remember that you took these positions for that same reason, to serve the community and advocate for their desires. Also, side note, in addition to being a nurse, I also have my bachelor's of science in public health. And I can say that prevention is the strongest
form of medicine. Preventing the data center from being built and the repercussions that we have all expressed that will result is a safer and more effective route than having the damages caused and having your community's health and quality of life be impacted and then dealing with the effect after the fact. My final comment, you've made
your argument clear and we have made our argument clear. I think it's fair to say that we disagree, but at the end of the day, whose desires should be reflected in this decision? those of five board members on this council or those of the entire community that took to serve.
[applause] >> Thank you. >> Any comment? >> No. >> All right. >> New Jersey. I moved to >> sorry I you moved to Union in 1999.
Bought a house right behind Merc Sharon and then it became Sharon Plow. I've had no issues being behind Sharon I'm sorry backwards Sharon Plow and Merc we've had no noise very rare once in a while. Through all the years I've lived there,
we've gotten notices for everything that was going to happen in that area, the 27 acres that was within our distance. This redevelopment was not notified to us within 200 ft of the property until the
subdivision. >> Okay. And I have others within 200 ft who were not notified as everybody in this commission is sleep. So, can you explain how you're saying
the legality of it is we do notify within 200? >> That's a planning board rule. I'm sorry, Mark. I I can speak to that. The 200 foot applies to the site plan. Um, I believe that with respect to
redevelopment that it's the property owners that are within the redevelopment that get the notice. It still gets published in the newspaper, but I believe that for redevelopment, it's just the properties that are being affected for the redevelopment. So, the
zoning, I think, >> notified the properties that were being reszoned and the general public would have been notified via the newspaper publication for the site plan approval. that had to
go to uh all property owners within 200 f feet of the affected properties that were being impacted by the site plan. Uh and again notified in the newspaper, published in the newspaper. >> Okay. Okay.
Now, didn't we have somebody here from Gallop Hill? >> I'm not. >> Did your grandmother get a notice? >> No. She is within 200 ft. She is right across the street from the development. I stood on her front porch and watched it.
>> So I I'm not involved in that process, right? That that that's not my my what I could tell you is that the certified list [snorts] is prepared by the clerk. It's provided to the applicant. The applicant has to pro uh prepare what's
known as an affidavit of publication which certifies under oath that they send the mailings return receipt requested to everyone within that 200 foot radius and that they also notified in the newspaper uh via publication. Uh
so I I would assume that that took place by virtue of the fact that the application proceeded. And so really nobody does really get notified even though we are legally saying we should there's not one person in here that
notified of the development of this >> all that what is required by law >> if I may I I can't say whether it was or wasn't right that that's not my my gig so to speak um but what they have to do
is they have to send it out return receipt requested 10 days in advance of the hearing with a certification saying that they did that. So I assume that such an affidavit was provided to the board before the application was
>> provided to me for the subdivision that was >> for the subdivision. My recollection of the redevelopment law is that it doesn't go 200 ft past the property that's being redeveloped. It's the property that's being redeveloped. I'd have to look at
the law. I don't have it with me right now, but that is I believe different than the site plan notice that I had made that. >> So when they start to develop on the site that's closest to mine on the subdivision, I will be notified. >> If you're within 200 ft,
>> I am within 200 ft. >> Then you should be receiving notice on uh any subdivision application >> or the uh site plan uh application. >> All right. your time.
>> No problem. >> Well, that that that's a jurisdictional question for the planning board and it will be in their file. >> Sorry, can you say that again? Is
>> No, no, that's what I said. Sorry, can you say that again? So that what was missing that the clerk said to the applicant that should be provided like that's an an affidavit of publication was provided supposed to be provided to
the land use board. >> That's how the land use board knows that it could hear the application. >> Okay. So that's something that we should be able to find. >> That should be in their in the uh [clears throat] plane department's file. >> Would that be your
reference? It's a public. >> Hi. >> Hello. My name is Julianne Murphy. I live at Elizabeth Avenue in Raway, New Jersey. And don't worry, I'm reading from the notes app that I've been typing up since I've been listening. Um, >> yeah, I actually do not use AI because
I'm morally opposed to it. Um, and so I just wanted to address a few things I've noticed. I was here at the planning board meeting last week. um back out in the hall cuz we weren't really letting people in, but I was listening and uh upon public comment they hostility came
quickly um with any comments regarding the data center. And so it's really lovely you're telling us to go back to them uh passing the buck. Um I also liked when you pointed out that using Facebook as a forum uh to be ironic given we are speaking out against AI. It's almost like we all decided to show
up here in person instead of commenting online or in addition to it. So I I again the cynical comments are are are not appreciated. Many of those who spoke here before me said many of the concerns that I already have as a local resident.
You may have seen um you have seen how emotional that all of us have become. Um this is an important issue and it is apparent that you view this as out of your hands. Uh but we are asking you to use your morals and use your conscience to consider why would so many people
from so many backgrounds, ages, jobs, towns come here if this was just we're not paid. Like we're here because we care. And I would really like for you to actually consider that and sit with that. Um as I said, you keep trying to pass the buck to the planning board, the state, the future. Your claim is
inevitable. And all of these may have some part. I could I could agree with that as do you. And I would like to ask what are you doing as the council um council board for the to advocate for the health and the future of the people
of Pedleorth? All I hear is about the taxes. What about the future [laughter] and and and don't worry, we'll be back. We're not backing down. You might be bothered tonight. We might this line might finish up, but we're not done
here. So, you know, keep passing the buck. keep telling us, "Well, keep on coming." And I listen, I don't It's late at night. I'm tired. I've been working all day. I work in the city. Like, this is not this is not just fun. We're we're serious and we care. And I really hope that that's come across tonight. Thank
you very much. [applause] >> Uh, hello. My name is Marcus. I I'm a resident of Elizabeth. I'm not going to really solicit my address because I feel comfortable with such but I have two questions regarding by the AI data center. Well, not really two questions but um it is just broadly known as a
whole that AIdriven research and AIdriven incentives by companies has been known to make human work redundant. I don't believe that AI data centers are morally a good business to open up in townships because as a whole it is just
a broad spectrum of AI is replacing human work. All right. I'm a blue collar. I work and I pay taxes. All right. My concern is that the introduction of AI data centers within residential districts and within the suburbs and everything is going to do exactly what companies have been setting
out to do since the introduction of artificial intelligence and automated systems. For example, let's bring to a example that everybody here understands which is back in 2015 the McDonald's corporation had introduced automation amongst all of its restaurants.
Everybody thinks that was done out of convenience. There wasn't the consequence of this automation being introduced was that cashiers as a whole were eliminated from their businesses. Now everybody is crossstrained within these restaurants in order to provide that service still. But as a whole
automation had eliminated this job. I don't know how 140 introduced jobs within Kennallworth Township is going to benefit when as a whole AI AIdriven uh research and data is just eliminating employment across the United States. I
don't because I don't understand how the businesses and the the the taxpayer is going to compete with something that never eats, never sleeps, and is constantly pushing the dividends for companies. >> Yes. >> All right. It's it's just it's broadly
known uh that you know AI just doesn't help anywhere where it's introduced. All it does is just eliminate employment for people within these areas. Another thing too and this is a newer statistic uh uh regarding AI and I know everybody here would be interested in is as of right
now all the Department of Homeland Security is willing to admit is that 30% of AIdriven data centers are being used for surveillance. But they think by 2030 this is going to jump up to 70%. [applause] I don't think that your constituency
within Kennaworth is going to be appreciative that the AI dentist data center in their backyard might be used to spy on them. >> This is a fact. The DHS and the people running DHS has not been shy about admitting this. They want to increase the usage of flock cameras. They want to
increase the usage of flock on police cruisers. They want to introduce all these things. And mind you, these aren't being done abroad. These aren't being done against America's enemies uh foreign. This is being done to American citizens. And surveillance is not something that I think any constituency
would be willing to admit is a good thing for their interest regardless of public security, anything like that. Thank you. [applause] >> My name is Maya Smith. I'm a Kennorth resident. Uh, I moved here about a year ago. Uh, and I hadn't known about the data center at the time.
[clears throat and snorts] Um, something that was said previously by the mayor was that they would be held accountable to these standards that we're expressing our concerns about for electricity, our water, our resources. How are we going to hold them accountable if they break any sort of these rules and regulations
that we're putting in place for them? How are we hold >> Excellent question. So, we have a we have an enforcement arm of our of our construction office, code enforcement. And when uh people are given variances for non-conforming properties for just like what we're going to see here, and
they're not living up to what they said were going to be their standards, they go out there. There's notice of violations that we can issue to them. The construction officials here like to chat with them about alleviating their problems. So, if you take uh you know, just the business that had sound or something, can a wall go up in between
to block it? If you have something with water runoff, they work with them on what the pit should be and where the drainage should be. So, it's a it's an evolution, I guess. If there is something that was said was going to be done that wasn't, and they'll work with our department. Ultimately, it would
have to get changed or we take them to court. So, that's that's pretty much how how the process would work. Mark, did I say anything incorrect there? >> W within within the confines of the resolution that granted the approval. I would agree with that. Uh and at the
point in time when a redevelopment agreement gets ratified uh we have the ability to put in some conditions. There's there are corridors [clears throat] uh of what conditions would be
permissible. Uh but we can build some conditions into the redevelopment agreement which would also obligate them to comply with certain requests. >> Okay. So, so there's a second bite at the apple that is still available to us. >> Okay. >> Uh, plus whatever the conditions were in
that planning progress. >> Okay. So, at this point, the power kind of lies in that redevelopment agreement. Like it's not necessarily about stopping the data center altogether, but more so focused on whatever technicalities can be put into this redevelopment. Is that correct?
>> Yeah, I I I generally would agree with that statement. The approval uh for the conversion of that building was granted. The time to challenge it or alter it none. Uh same thing with the
redevelopment plan, but uh there ultimately will be a redevelopment agreement that's going to be coming before this body and we will try to negotiate the best redevelopment agreement to uh address the concerns of
the burrow. at that point in time. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> The redevelopment you mentioned that they'll come in for the redevelopment plan. Is that the planning order council? >> The redevelopment agreement is a function of the council.
>> Thank you. >> I will tell you the code enforcement guys out there constantly. They're con no one's blind to what's going on. He reports back. So he's watching them. All right. If if we could have somebody come to the podium and talk >> the gentleman the gentleman asked me
to go. Okay. >> Thank you so much. >> Real quick question. Was the redevelopment agreement signed? >> No. Okay. So my question is why is construction going on? Usually it's a
redevelopment sign. >> I don't I don't know and I don't have an answer to that question but in anticipation that someone was going to be asked that question. I've been asking some questions myself. I'm assuming that it's demolition which
I I think you're aware about. you could do demolition under certain circumstances uh without having a development agreement or a redevelopment agreement. >> I don't know if it's anything beyond that. >> You are right with the demolition that you're allowed to demo,
>> but running electric, running gas lines, you know, doing the >> no permit should have been issued and and there were fees paid for permits. I was stole from the office. Guys charge $2 million. >> Yeah, Bob, there was a there the mayor
had gone over the sequence of where there was something on that property approved by the planning board in May of 2025. >> So, there's activity going on there. There were permits that were taken out and paid for for that activity. So, and the new data centers I I I thought we
were chatting about here, but >> So, that's what we are talking about. They're working on it now because it was approved a year plus a cell. Correct. I'm >> trying to explain to you is without a redevelopment agreement signature. Right. >> My understanding is that they're able to
do certain things without the agreement uh like Mark was saying and they're taking the opportunity before they have anything to do that uh the demolition building pads for whatever they're going to be putting there. I don't I don't know if they need a redevelopment agreement to do all that. And my
understanding from the from talking to the construction office, the permits were issued for the things that were either pre-approved or that it's not a non-conforming thing that they don't need to go to the >> report, but they're not required to have a redevelopment sign, right? A signed
redevelopment agreement. >> I'm [clears throat] not exactly sure ex what they're building per the agreement or not. I haven't been investigating the property like that, so I don't want to answer incorrectly. >> Thank you very much for your response. >> [applause] >> Hello.
>> Good evening. >> All right. Um, I will not be asking any questions. Uh, the reason I will not be asking any questions is because the answers from this council are not credible. I'm going to explain why they are not credible. There is an obvious and clear conflict of interest going on
with this council. How is this evident? It is evident in the fact that you present a host of supposed probes that have no basis in any kind of independent or unbiased uh study. They are simply opinions, speculation that just
coincidentally happen to match industry or poorly [clears throat] talking heads. So that's one clear topic right there. Now, why this exists, whether it's because you guys have signed some kind of non-disclosure agreement, whether it's because you've sat in a room with Core Wee and no
other, you know, no other opinion, no other expert opinion that's independent of them and you drunk at the Kool-Aid. Perhaps that's what it is. Perhaps you're personally, we don't know those things yet. We will find out. We will find out those things. But it is clear
that that exists. It is clear based on the answers that you give us. Let me make it a a little more clear. The fact that you cannot provide a counterpoint risks [clears throat] associated with this project is another piece of evidence that you have a conflict of interest. It [clears throat] should not
be difficult to have some kind of unbiased independent counterpoints that present the risk. Any solid good organization that is making massive decisions like this is what they do. They look at the pros and the cons and they'll just listen to one side and get
all the pros and then kind of maybe like do their own little research on the cons. That's not how this is supposed to work. Let me make another point that makes it clear there's an obvious conflict of interest here. The fact that we are here demanding this from you. You
represent us. It was your job to do what we are doing now. It was your job to vote for me. You have TO SAY [applause] what this project and how can we be how can we validate the supposed pros that you
are presenting to us independent of your obvious interest in this. That was your job. You did not do your job. So now we are here demanding that you now do your job. And do not anyone in this audience think for one second there is nothing we can do about this. That is not true
because THE WAY THIS GOES IS IT WILL BE DIVIDED, [applause] IT'S already divided into multiple phases which includes requests for subdivisions, requests for variances, other requests that will come through in order to complete this project. And we will be here for every
single one of those. Now, we will be here and you do not have to approve them. Do not sit here and tell us that those things have to be approved. They do not. Quite frankly and simply, they do not need to be approved. Yeah. >> Okay. We know this. We are coming. We
are going to find out the truth of what's going on here. And we will be here every step of the way. And if it doesn't work out in our favor, we will BE THERE AT THE ballot box to make sure that anyone who's involved IN THIS PROJECT AND approved and did not listen to the people at this juncture, you will
not be in this position anymore. We will guarantee it. I am telling you now. [applause] Hi, I'm Jody. I'm reading from my notes app that I was just writing. When I started reading him live back there, this is what I've written just since standing back there. Just from
>> I'm from Union County. I'd rather not give my address. At what point are you going to say, "Hey, maybe I should start asking questions of the planning board of core so I can at least be prepared to answer
questions instead of being wholly unaccountable." You keep passing the buck to Governor Murphy, but what he passed in 2023 when AI was being used to help in cancer detection and medical research, the AI of 2026 is being used to endanger the
human race. It's telling us we can't believe our eyes anymore. Our basic sense, we cannot believe our eyes anymore because we don't know what is real anymore. You don't know what's real. You don't know what's real. You don't know what's real. You don't know what's real. You don't. You don't. You
don't. You don't. I don't. Because AI has made us so confused that it is a literal danger to the human race. Societal and techn technological evolution is expected and welcomed. But
the mass expansion of technology from 1990 to 2023 doesn't even touch the speed at which this one technology has evolved since Murphy passed that order in 2023. Murphy has also made recreational cannabis legal, but Kennallorth
unanimously passed a resolution against any dispensaries in town, citing more research and a revisit in some matter of time. WHY AREN'T WE DOING THE same thing here? Why can't we pump the brakes just to make sure we are doing what is actually
right not only for the local community but society? Why can't you use your power to say to your colleagues on the planning board, hey, can we discuss? Can we look deeper? Who can I TALK TO AT CORE SO I can get some information rather than sit up here and look like an
idiot? Thank you. [applause] Hello, my name's Terry Seuss. I'm on Chestnut Street over in Union about two blocks from this. I can sit on my deck and watch the emissions, right? So, I have a few questions. That cogen plant that's over there, will it be expanded?
We haven't even heard about that. They're going to provide their own energy. That's cogen. That's from a plant on site. It's an incinerator. How is that being regulated? Any answers? Okay.
At the very beginning, the mayor addressed this group and said that that this will be quieter than a conversation between two people. Prior to that, she said something very important. She said she's in negotiations. Probably you all
are in negotiations to negotiate a pilot with the developer. What is a pilot? >> It's a payment in lie of taxes and I'm not aware of any negotiations.
>> Okay. I was surprised to hear that there was a discussion of a pilot, but that was what was said at the very beginning of this meeting. Maybe you should ask a few questions about that because for you and your finances, a pilot is a very bad
deal for the town and the taxpayers. It means that the developer will not be paying the taxes that you expected it might pay. Okay, that's all I want to say about that. Please investigate. The other thing I'd like to say is we were at the planning board hearing and we
were told over and over again that these division lines can be approved by the planning board without a site plan. I would re I would direct you to the New Jersey state law. It says maybe a minor subdivision could be treated like that,
but subdivisions need a site plan. So, I don't know why you're moving ahead with this without a site plan that's public that's noticed to the people. And that subdivision was passed without a site plan. For the record, >> you don't need a site.
>> Okay. I think that could be challenged by some of the people in this audience. >> Um, so the other thing is, okay, we have a data center coming in. Done deal. Although you said you would have liked to have something else, but no one
approached you. >> What kind of appeal was put out for how to develop that property? >> Uh nestics were were they have a website where they were advertising the land. They came in and bought it. >> I mean, I was just I I like Top Golf, so
I was just I was kind of making a joke that I would have liked to have that people. Well, maybe you should have invited people to be part of that plan. What about more housing? that's desperately needed. What about entertainment for families in this? >> That site was a former former pharmaceutical plant. I'm not sure I
personally would want to live there. I'm not park anymore. >> There could have been some creative work done. If you're going for zoning variances for this kind of stuff, maybe you could have zoning variance something else. So anyway, uh please investigate
these other aspects that I was raising and thank you. THANK YOU. [applause] HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? >> I'm here for Mike. I think he was unfairly thrown under the bus about the water question. Mike, I'm here for you, brother. My My uh grandfather is on fire department a long time. So, I got you.
All right. >> Can you state your name and address? >> My name is Joe. I will not be stating my address. Thank you very much. William, I am in finance as well. Um I happen to employ people here in Union County as I own a business. I also live pretty close
to here. Uh my kid grew up in Kennorth. So what I'm going to talk to you about right now is something that's brutally not AI whatsoever. It's called desperation, right? AI never gets desperate because well it's it's a machine, right? But what you've talked
about a lot tonight is your personal desperation that you had in the finances and the CFO here. I'm sure you guys have had several conversations about it, but you guys were I believe you referred to it as behind on taxes or getting taxes were getting away from you, whatever it was, something along the lines of taxes
getting, right? So, what I'm trying to say to you is is that, you know, as a human being, and I I'm sure you've experienced this as well, right? I have mortgage, I got car payments, I got a beautiful wife who it's her birthday today, but instead I'm here with you.
Um, we all go through desperate times, right? Maybe we don't have so much money on a Tuesday. We we're waiting for Friday. So, I understand where you were at. You were behind, etc. and so forth. But doesn't that sort of make it a lot easier for a company to come in with a
large amount of appeal and appeal to, you know, a town like Kennorth and maybe maybe make some things a little bit easier to navigate when you guys have had a property that's been sitting there like you said, I believe you said it was a third of Kennorth, which is insane. But doesn't that make it a little bit
easier for them to navigate their way in, maybe do something? And then my other question or my other statement really is, you know, in that level of desperation, right, where we're where we're we're wanting to approve something because we need the tax funds or we need the the
one-third of Kennaworth to be occupied by some type of business that's creating some type of job and and all those things like you know what about the desperation of the people that live here that desperately do not want this that desperately do not want to live near
this that maybe They haven't gotten the facts complete. Maybe maybe it's 87.4 decel. I mean, who cares, right? Who gives a Here's the thing. What really boils down to is is that if you don't want to sit on your porch and watch an AI factory uh hung at you, you
should be able to maybe, you know, enjoy that, you know, that that lifestyle that you've enjoyed. I mean, you said the Parkway, and I agree. I love the Parkway. I take it a lot. But the thing about the Parkway is is it was there when you bought the house. So when you purchased that house and you you you saw
the Parkway, you went >> at Parkway, man, they travel a lot on that thing, but I'm going to sit back here and I'm still going to grill hamburgers, maybe with Mike, and we're going to have a good time, right? Because it was there before and you knew that. But now you're bringing something in to a neighborhood that's going to
create a large level of disruption and already has created a large level of disruption. So, [snorts] I guess what I'm saying to you is is that when you're when you're worried about your tax bill, your your tax bill and your your finances and you're trying to balance your books and you have that
level of what are we going to do? I just want you to to maybe take yourself out of the finance position, put yourself into the community's position and say, "Hey, there's a data center coming. What are we going to do?" Because that's where we're all at
right now. And I can tell you as a business owner and as a homeowner that if that thing starts humming, I'm running and I'm probably going to go to Scotch Planes and uh only because it's directly out of the sight of of what I found out is the mileage I need to cut.
So just so you're aware, just so you understand that level of desperation, that's what I question and that's what I look at to you guys when I say to myself, why is this so easy for them to do? >> So if you have any comments on that, I would love to hear. >> Yeah. Well, my only comment is that you you you are calling something
desperation when I was asked about what the pros of the project are. And there is absolutely a pro for taxability in a town that needs it. >> No, I'm not speaking about the pros and the cons. What I'm speaking about is when you said specifically, William, when you said specifically that you guys were behind, maybe fallen behind.
>> I never said that. >> These [clears throat] are words that came out of your mouth that are recorded. >> I actually You can watch the tape. I actually have it written down. I will watch the tape. I watched the tape last week asking how many how much longer she's going to have to deal with this. >> The questions I was asked about it was
only an hour for her today. Thank God for her. [laughter] >> I was asked about the pros. Taxability is a pro. You were talking about the desperation of allowing them to come in and we had a vacant piece of land. >> How did the taxes look, William? Before before they came in, right? Horrible. >> So, you wouldn't consider that to be
desperation? I mean, I don't know. To me, it's not desperation. Affordability in the entire state is probably horrible. I mean, that's the point we're trying to make. >> We're all in this together. So, please don't think this is a you versus ME CONVERSATION. >> IT'S NOT A It is not. >> I know. Let me That was your choice to
paint that. I asked you about desperation due to taxation. If you were in finance, I'm trying numbers. It's very black and white. >> I'm trying to answer your question. >> We could we could go over We have an agreement to disagree here because I did not say what you said. What I think I said >> I'm not disagreeing with you
>> is that we have tax stability. telling you what you said which is that you had desperation and taxation. >> Okay, thank you. The property was not purchased by Cororee initially. The property was vacant. It was left. It wasn't vacant. Merc had uh had owned it and they were the first ones to then
sell it to a redevelopment company. The company's name is Onyx. There's a lot of publications about them buying the one-third of our town property. They then wound up selling it to another uh uh company. >> I'm very very aware of that. >> This is a chain of custody of the land here. So it's not like it was sitting
vacant and desolate and things like that. This was an evolution of the land. We watched this happen for years. If we were paying attention, we would have seen all this happen. >> Oh, I've been paying attention. I've been I've been here a long time. I've been here since I was born and I was very I had that work that showing plow
with my family. So anyway, listen. So what I was saying to you is is that it's a matter of desperation which you're trying to skirt. >> But you had a certain level of desperation here in Kennaworth when it came to taxation. You admitted that. Thank you, sir, for your comments. Your time is up. I was trying to answer your
questions. I guess I won't because I You keep >> because you don't have to or what? >> Uh, no. Well, I tried to. I mean, there's other people waiting. >> You're talking about You're talking about the pros being taxation. >> I think I answered all your questions. >> And you're talking about the pros being taxation. >> And Mike, for the record, I'm not trying
to throw you ever under the bus. You're a good guy, >> Mike. Just so you know, he threw you under the bus, Mike. I want you to understand that. [laughter] Okay. When it comes down to voting, Mike, remember this, okay? Remember this, Mike. I know he's got the finances on the fire department, but it's not that crazy. Trust me, >> you need a little kick and we'll give you something. All right, Mike. I
appreciate you. [applause] >> Hello, I'm Antonio Ferrer, 217 North 19th Street. Just to start, I would like to thank the mayor for leaving you guys over here with us. She's, you know, wherever she is. She left you to the
file. >> So, good job on her. All right. >> Number two, William. I'm Gen X. I don't have AI. I still wrote with a pen and I'm and I read from books. Okay. >> With the same generation. >> I'm great. You know that I'm not using
AI. I don't have my phone or anything. Okay. A lot of people in here have expressed their frustration. A lot of people in here probably did a lot more research than I have and have spoken eloquently
and had very good questions to which none of you get answers. Properate. Oh, it's the the zoning board. It's this board. It's the other board. It's the other board. Who elects this board? >> The mayor appoints the planning board. >> The mayor appoints.
>> So, who's in charge of the board? They are an autonomous body in charge of the >> They're an autonomous body, but it's it's it's appointed by the mayor. They are appointed by not elected by the people. >> The mayor is elected appoints the planet. That's how it works. >> So, they're the ones that make all the
decisions. So, when we go out to vote and vote on every single one of you, >> what are we voting for? >> The mayor appoints the planning board in our form of government. That's that's how it works. That's not my question. >> You're voting for representation. >> Representation for what? The planning
board is the one that makes all the decisions. >> They're making decisions. >> Well, they make decisions on on decisions on non-conforming properties. That's what they do. >> Okay. Can you translate that into English? >> So, when when there's a commercial area and or even residential and there's
zoning regulations and and ordinances that tell you what can be [clears throat] built there, if there's something that somebody wants to apply a variance for because it's not listed as something that can be built there, you go to the planning board and you apply for it. and the planning board goes through their process to approve what is
now a non-conforming structure, a non-conforming business operation. >> Who regulates the board? >> Uh, they're they're self-regulated, right, Mark? They're an autonomous body the same way governing body would be regulating ourselves. >> You say who regulates them, >> right? Who regulates?
>> Their operations are autonomous. >> Okay. But >> the appointment is through >> the mayor. So, the mayor decides who's going to be on the board. How convenient. Isn't it great? We have a great democracy. Oh, republic. I'm sorry.
Anyway, [laughter] so gentlemen, I know that about November, October, November, somewhere around there, there's some funny signs right on the boulevard for the most part. huge
billboards with some names on it. You know, asking us, the residents, to do something on November 6 or November, whatever it is. They're pretty big signs. You know that? Because why? Because it's probably very
important that we vote. Oh, voting. It is what we do, right? In November, right, for people, you know, to represent us, right? Yeah. >> So, you're a public servant, correct? >> Yes. >> Am I correct? Okay. Very good. So,
you're supposed to have answers for us. Now, don't you think that maybe a data center, something like a data center or any major construction
in the burrow should warrants a sign, at least one? >> No, >> I didn't see one. right? >> At least one sign that says dear residents just to let you know we are we approve the data center construction
>> you know so that maybe I don't get blindsided because you have no problem and putting those signs up when you want to be on those seats correct when you're looking when you're you're head you're knocking on my door saying hey Mr. Ferrer, I would love to have your vote.
You know, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to fight against the, you know, the the the development of the the apartment building over there on on 32nd Street or whatever it is. Or you knock on my door and go, "Hey, Mr. Ferrer, I would love to have your vote on November
so that I can have my seat in the council because I'm going to fight for you." >> Where's the fight? >> Your time is up, sir. Where's the fight? >> Your time is up. like I'll tell you what in November don't
come and ask before the vote. >> You might you might you come to me and we'll have a discussion. You forget about you. [applause] >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Uh Adam Tamasic, 531
Washington. Uh I just had a couple questions regarding the power station. Councilman, is it known how much mega uh the capacity of the megawws on this uh on the mer property for the data center? How much the capacity is for that for that?
>> A number of 25 or 50 is sticking out of my mind. It is publicly available information on the Nest website. >> I just wanted to confirm. Thank you. Okay. It said that this core data center is going to need around and this is an
estimate 250 megawatts of power. That's around 200,000 homes having electricity for a whole year. Now I looked up simple Google searches AI what it's it's out there and know we have to use it and not willingly
but it's there. >> Yeah. uh it says that to reach that capacity 250 megawws it either it's a few acres to a thousand
acres to build to reach that capacity. Now, is it known how the the environmental impact of such a a facility on site near so much community >> for the power plant specifically or the
rest of >> ju just for the power plant? >> The power plant's been there for decades, right? So, we we've had it in our community for since she cloud's been there, >> right? But but >> so I mean the impact of that is probably here already, right? wouldn't you say if
it's been here for so long? >> Well, but that's on the smaller scale. We're talking 25 megawws to 250 megawatt. >> Yeah, I I would challenge your uh your statement there about 200,000 megawatts powering homes for a year. >> Say 200,000,000
residents, 200,000 homes. >> Yeah, I have solar panels on my home and I produce about a megawatt of power in the summertime and it doesn't even power my house for the month. I mean, so I mean that >> but it's not as big as what you're saying. 250 megawatt.
>> We need at least 5 acres >> minimum on that site >> to build to reach their capacity. Now you're that >> the power are you talking about power coming from PSG or just the internal power from that site? >> You're you're saying that they're going
to pull from their site and whatever else is going to come from the RP from PSG. >> Right. So I'm asking you uh it do we know the impact are first of all are they going to build more uh capacity on that on that site? Is that known?
>> I I do not know the answer to your question. >> So I I I believe everyone knows here last summer you turned on your AC everyone's electricity bill was like $600. Yes it was. >> And looking online it was because of the
data centers in New Jersey. So that the the power that's going to be generated, whatever Corewave doesn't generate on their plant is coming to Kennaworth. Kennorth did not have a data center last summer yet. And yet we were paying the
price for their electricity use. Now we're going to have it in our backyards and our what whether our taxes are stable or not, it's coming through our electricity bills. I'm no economics expert, but I cannot draw a straight line the way that you are from data center use to the increased bills over
the summer. >> How is that? >> I just I can't fathom that. >> You you can look it up. It's it's a simple you look into that. I won't look I won't look it up right now impact as well for more. >> You should express these concerns to the planning board if what they're going to
do is approve a new codegen site or something like that. I mean, you're asking me to go to PSEG and research what their environmental impact is. >> If there is a future, >> wouldn't that be a state level thing? So, I I guess >> YOU ARE OUR
>> YOU ARE our representatives. We should be asking you and you should be going to the state. >> So, sir, Adam was your name. If this site got built in a different county, >> you're still if this site got built in a different county, you'd still have the same concerns, I'd imagine, right?
Because it's power in the state. It's coming from the power supply and I've been trying >> it's a little bigger than what we have going on here, right? It's more of a macro issue. >> The point is whatever you're going to save in taxes if we're going to save is going to come from electricity bill and
not from core. No matter what their tax breaks are, no matter what their incentives are, we are still paying for it. >> So, please look into that. Please look at the environmental impact. That's a 100 times more power they're going to need. 25 megawatts does not cut it. 250
is a lot. 200,000 homes. Think about that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Going >> back for my last 30 seconds that I did not use my first question again. My name is Jody. I'm a Union County resident and I would just like to ask about property taxes. Uh or not property taxes but
property values. How do we see this impacting our property values to live close to a data center that's constantly humming? that's polluting our water, that's using our water, that's making our electric rates go up. How is that going to affect our property values? Because I happen to know from p from
public records that your property value, sir, has gone up almost $400,000 since 2019. And I don't think you want those gains to go away as a finance person, right? >> I think you'd see that similar as the whole zip code. >> I'm not because that's what's happening
in >> But I think the whole zip code would like to keep those gains. I'm not saying that like you're better than anyone here because you might have had more property value increase. I'm saying that don't you want to keep your gains, but if you go to sell your house next year, two
years I appreciate concern. I won't be speculative and say that a data center is coming here is going to tank the property values. These >> have you done any research into that hyperbole that we we really should >> but have you done research into the what what data centers do to property? Why?
because I'm not necessarily in real estate. I know that the price >> you live in Kennallorth. >> I know that when you look at things like supply and demand, there's extremely low inventory in a town like Kennorth, which means the prices. >> Build houses >> where
do an EPA survey site? >> You can't build residential property ON THAT SITE. >> RESZONE IT. Look at 750 Walnut in Cranford. They resoneed that. EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE. THEY RESONED IT. WE ALL WENT THERE AND FOUGHT THAT, TOO. >> There are restrictions on that property
that it cannot be done. So, you asked us to do a lot OF RESEARCH. >> I HEAR A LOT OF NO we can't, no we can't. No, we can't. No, we can't. And I'm sorry, but we need to hear yes we can. Yes, I will. Yes, I will look into that because that's what I was elected to do. >> Um,
>> I'm done. I'm I'm done. I I've used my time. All right. Good. Thank you. Just something to think about. [applause] I'm Amy and I live in Kennall and I just want Can you hear me? >> No. Speak louder. [cough and clears throat] >> Okay. Um I just want to know the reason
why you can't reszone it. Is it because it's already hazardous there? >> Is it? >> So, no. my understanding of that site and uh this is not something I am an expert on but there's a deed restriction on the site that goes back from I guess original owners that residential
properties cannot be built on that site so and it was a pharmaceutical uh testing facility I mean you can imagine maybe why there'd be such a restriction and I'm not alluding to any kind of spookiness going on over there it's just I think we can all just connect dots and figure out maybe why something like that exists so there's prohibitions on
building apartments there or residential homes and town houses. We can't do that there. Um or at least nobody would be able to buy the property and develop it that way. Uh which is where not we because we wouldn't be doing that ourselves. >> Plus, because there's a power plant there, could there be a crack in the is
there like anything hazard like something going on? You know how like >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question. >> Like power plants, you said they have a power plant there. Is there like a meltdown starting to come back? Is that why we can't resum that area? >> No. No. I think the deed restriction and
I don't know this for sure probably existed before the power plant. I mean it's uh it's the history of the site I think that we would have to look at for that reason. I'm not I I've never heard it's in connection to a meltdown concern from the cogen plan. >> Okay. And the EPA has been on top of
that. It just seems weird that shearing plow pulled out. MC came in. When Shearing PL Shearing Plow used to pay most of Kennallorth's taxes, Merc came in, our taxes went up because they got a discount. Now you had another company,
what' you call it, Ozark or whatever it was. >> They came, they came in, our taxes still went up. Now they sold it to Nest or whatever they're called, and they're subdividing into this core weed, right?
How is that going to help us in taxes? Are they going to be taking over what Shearing Plow used to have that big chunk? >> Yeah. So, let me explain that. Um, so they they have areas where there are no buildings that they've put in that subdividing that if they put buildings up there, that's going to be good for
town. That's uh you get a tax assessment on land and building value. So, when you add new construction, it's a positive thing for the burrow. the permits that get taken out for even the demolition, for the building, for the sewer connections. These are all positive revenue experiences for the burrow. So,
we want the economic vibrancy. We we would as a town. >> Now, why are they getting giving only 160 permanent positions there and not enough to penal and the surrounding town?
>> I think it's the nature of their business because there are a lot of unemployed people here. Yeah, I think that's the nature of a data center. I mean, it's not a a factory. It it it doesn't require as many people and the economics of them putting it there is
that how many people they have. I think when we had a gentleman come here um and talked to the council and said something about they have security um a few uh tech folks there because they're pretty much not moving parts. So, it's not like you need mechanics and things like that. So, it's just a limited amount of staff.
There's no clerical staff or anything like that. So that's why the numbers are so low. >> Okay. Now, just one one last question because I didn't catch the answer very well. Do we have somebody there watching the hazards, you know, hazardous
materials going on over since it was a pharmaceutical which you brought up a [clears throat] couple times sharing the plow mark and then these other do we have anybody watching that property to make sure it's not affecting any of us around?
>> Well, outside of what our construction office would do and maybe the department of health, I I would say no. I mean, we don't have anybody whose job it is to watch that. The EPA is not a counterworth agency. >> So, >> are we contacting as it's in our town? Are we concerned?
>> I have not had a conversation about that specifically with the construction office. So, I don't know. Um, but I know that they are involved and they have testing requirements on soil. Every time a building gets [clears throat] uh sort of permitted, these types of things happen. It's part of the process and it's done I I believe through EPA
regulation. So that is the that is who's regulating and watching if if you think about it. It's the process in the state. >> Now everything that that we've all gone over is going to be in the open public you know the over records everything
>> uh public records are >> the supposed not signed contracts. >> It's a public record. It's contracts that are not executed are not public records. Once once they get executed, then they become a public record. >> Okay. So, do we have anything? Well, I
know that when we go for open bids or anything in construction, as you can tell, >> open records, we can see everybody's bid or do we know who's actually in on that project, building on this project? Are
they are they good people? Or are they sneaky, you know, down, you know, underhanded people? How do you know? >> You mean you mean the contractors that are working for the the property owner? >> Yes. >> No, we don't do background checks
>> on that. And and and what's that? >> I can't hear you. >> Yeah. Well, we don't we still don't do that, right? Then what they unless they they they go for the permit. if they they pull the permit then they have to have certain credentials [clears throat] but other than that uh you said that
you're in the industry so you would know >> yes >> okay >> construction background >> um so on on a private contract you know a private property >> we're only involved to the extent that they they pull a permit and we have to
you know verify the person's license has the right credentials to pull a permit >> and that they're proposing to do the work that's been approved by the building department and by the planning board. But other than that, no.
But there are uh obligations to comply with D regulations, >> right? >> And if there is a if there's contamination on the site and the D is aware of that contamination, then there likely are some orders that they have to follow with respect to remediation, etc.
>> There's just one problem with that. If they're getting a tax through the government, it should be open public record of what's going on because it is part of tax dollars being given back to them. It is part of
>> that would be with regard to whatever the grant is that they're getting from the state. The state probably does have regulations to that effect. uh and that they probably have to comply with whatever the requirements are. Probably a whole host of things such as EEOC as
I'm sure you're familiar with having to comply with uh and and a whole bunch of other things. Uh but then that would be the state imposing the requirement and they would be answerable to the state. we wouldn't have that type of because we're not we're not exercising
we're not giving them anything to make them have to answer to us other than the permits in which case >> they have to answer us to the extent of the stat. So you don't you don't really want to get answers for your people because we are your people, right? We
voted you guys in >> we have our our rights are are limited. What we are able to do are are things that are granted to us statutoily. So, we
have things that we have to make sure a qualified applicant for a permit has to follow. >> But we can't just pass a law hypothetically saying that any contractor that comes on this site has
to show us that they're of good moral character and they don't, you know, we we can't just create things like that. >> No. But aren't you part of the zoning record where you're you're getting ready to sign off this unsigned
contract you were talking about earlier? >> Yeah. Yes. But if you recall when I started talking about the conditions, I had to indicate that certain corridors and things that that we that are related to the redevelopment that we could do >> sitting there and making sure that their
contractors are are and I'm using this as an example. I'm not really sure what your question is is is geared at getting to, but we couldn't like say that you have to make sure that all your develop your [clears throat] contractors are good moral charact >> be more narrow,
>> right? But it couldn't be a state required thing that you can add like an amendment to this contract because it's still unsigned. so that we can watch over these people
who are touching our land. I mean, this is Kennorth, our land, making sure they're not ruining our towns or the towns around. >> We couldn't be adding conditions to the
the nature of the uh contractors that work on their land. >> And is it is it We're not we're not vested that right. We don't have the ability to do that. >> Is it is it truly an owner or is it like
a subs >> I'm not involved in the in in the project. So I I I apologize. I can't answer your question. Um so I don't know. I know that the applicant
was Cororee and I believe that Cororeweave is in the business of owning data centers. So Uh, and I think that they had a representative that was overseeing or was planning on overseeing the construction. So, it's my belief
without being intimately involved in the application that they are doing they're the ones that are hiring the contractors that are doing the work. That's my belief. >> Okay. Three minutes of talking. >> Before we land, that was your question. >> They bought the land from Monx. Who
bought the land from Mer? I thought they only sought >> well they bought about 30 acres and then now they subdivided that four parcels [clears throat] >> is it >> but they own those >> so >> we have some other people that are waiting
>> that hasn't come to our attention yet >> we anticipate but they have to come before us again they want to do anything to >> uh any additional things they have to come up with a plan and everything >> and we can't put any >> I'm sorry we have a we have a line back there
Thank you. Thank you for your comments. >> I think there's um there's 15 different uses in the redevelopment plan. >> Thank you. >> Uh my name is Emma. Um I'm a Union County resident in Garwood. Um and I
want I don't have a question. I just have a statement. Um, I was at the planning board meeting last week and multip I just wanted to point out for everyone here for the record that multiple people asked uh when they could because they weren't letting us discuss
anything other than the subdivision. Multiple people asked when can we come back to talk about the data center and we were told over and over again we don't know. We were told check back in about a month and then I got home that night and found out about this council meeting that that very night and that
people been planning a rally for it. So, just to everyone in the room, this this council clearly has a vested interest in this data center being built. They clearly want it. They've made no uh attempt to even appear unbiased. And so,
when they tell you that it's a done deal, that there's nothing to be done, uh don't believe them. Keep keep speaking up, keep coming out to these things, and uh keep making your voice heard. Thank you. [applause] My name is Katie. I'm from Bordontown, New Jersey. I came here because
obviously data centers are poisoning our state. It's terrible. Um, I've been to many, many council meetings to go over why data centers are bad. And I have never in my life seen a council try to completely confuse and mislead their
public before. from him making us feel like there's nothing we can do, from you putting the taxes and the money above the fact that data centers do harm people. There's a guy talking about cancer rates and things like that that they cause to the water problem that the mayor was saying that's not going to be
an issue like it's I've never seen anything like it and I would like to publicly comment shame on all of you. Absolutely shame. >> Shame. >> Yes. [applause] You also said this was a macro issue. You said this was a macro issue. Um, but
what we do locally affects everyone globally. The butterfly effect is very real. Um, and we have a huge problem. We have a climate crisis going on right now. I don't know if anybody using their plastic water bottles up here is aware that the earth is 1.47%
over its self-regenerative limit. That means we cannot continue to poison the land. We cannot continue to let data centers and big corporations come in here and tear down what little we have left. 1.47% over its self-regenerative limit. And
you guys want to continue to bring the people out here in distress because you just don't seem to understand that. It's it's horrible. We have no coral left in this country. And it's because of big corporations. It's because of things like this. Biodiversity is down
70% in the last 15 years. And there's more data centers going up. It is absolutely shameful. You guys have the choice. He has made it clear. The agreement has not been signed. You have the choice still. You could be local heroes. We can turn the
tide for your family's sake. We can change the course of history. We can have sustainability and fairness. But if you approve this project and you let this data center go up, shame on all of you. You do not HAVE TO ANSWER JUST TO YOUR community and your families, but to
your own souls in this universe and in this life. You have to answer to good itself. You will have to answer to good itself on why you allow money to go above the fact that you're poisoning your community. Data centers poison people. I don't know if you've been aware of that, but they do. They cause
cancer. They poison people and children. So, you're putting money above the fact that children will be poisoned. >> Can you explain how they're getting poisoned? Hey, YOU >> I'M ASKING HER A QUESTION. LET ME ASK YOU. I'M ASKING HER.
>> I have I'd like to HEAR WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY. >> DID YOU NOT HEAR DID YOU NOT HEAR THE DOCTOR? >> DID YOU NOT hear the doctor THAT WAS UP HERE? >> I'M ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION, SIR. >> I have multiple people, but I don't have any cancer and there's nothing I can't find
anything. >> Okay. So, every big warehouse has runoff, right? And just the fact that they go up and tear down like all of this one's already built. So this I'm not a scientist. I'm just a person who cares. I understand that there is
runoff. The water usage alone like that glyphosphate that they use to put into that water that's a forever chemical and it does leak into the waterways. It does whether whether you regulate it or loop it or whatever it is. >> It does. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you for your comments. I think your time is up. It's getting late. >> Money above the fact that it is poisoning your community. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Good point. [applause] >> Hi, my name is Samantha. I actually am an environmental scientist and I have
information TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. um in closed loop uh cooling facilities like the one that is coming um there is still a 25% loss of water in those facilities and like we were saying before in that water there are forever
chemicals forever chemicals that go into the air and seep into the water uh air that we are breathing and water that we are drinking therefore it will be affecting us. Thank you. [applause] Somebody else is waiting.
>> Okay, we're good to go. >> Antonio Ferrer, 217 North 19th Street. Joe, might have got you started. Thank you. Gentlemen, just want to say one thing. You are wolfy prepared for this. >> Can't hear you. >> You were not prepared for this.
>> What? Hey, what you guys did, what was done, I don't know who decided it. You keep saying it's the board. It's the board. It's the board. You were not prepared in any way, shape, or form. You did not communicate properly. You did not investigate properly. You simply
just hide behind um it's the board. Okay? That's not acceptable. You are our representatives. We put you in those chairs for a reason because we can't be there. ourselves. You need to do better. You can't do this
again. This is not something that accept it's acceptable for the residents of Kenworth. We moved a lot of us were born here. A lot of us moved here for a very good reason. Okay. And we're losing that by doing this data set. I understand
data centers are the new internet. Okay. probably more than anybody else because I'm in the IT business. Okay. They need to be developed. Do they need to be developed in Kworth? No. So, William,
you seem to be a smart guy. Don't use that as excuse. Data centers can be built out west in New Jersey where there's plenty of open areas and it's not so condensed. I do understand we have a tax problem. You know, I and
trust me, I know every year. right now, you know, my tax doubled, you know, since I moved over here. Okay, it went up two, you know, 100%. The thing is, you need to communicate. You need to let us know. I am not so
much upset about the data center to be honest with everybody and I know it's bad and I validate that for you guys. However, what really hurts me is the fact that you guys did not communicate and then we have the mayor coming over
here and saying, "Oh, I put it on Facebook." Guess what? I don't have Facebook. Oh, I put it on the website. Guess what? I work 9 10 hours a day. I don't have time to go on the website. I work in it. I don't want to see a
computer at the end of the day. I don't want to see a phone at the end of the day. I don't have Facebook, the newspaper. What newspaper are we talking about? Okay, so guys, let's do better. Okay, let's do better. And let's
You know what, M council, if we can get out of this, let's get out of this. All right, do your job. Okay, [applause] better. You can do better. All right, and Joe,
you serve, don't forget. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Ronald Hay. Got to excuse my voice. I had cancer 25 years ago. So, I'm going to try to talk as best as possible. I live in this town 65 years in the same building. My parents lived
there. My grandparents lived there. Over 100 years that building's been there. I was here back when Shering was here. Taxes 1,200 a month. They left. Understandable. Taxes went up.
2017 my taxes 17. I was paying $8,000 a year. As of 2026, I'm paying $19,000 a year. >> Okay. I was happy when I heard this was coming
in. Maybe my taxes will start coming down. I'm still happy if they do. But if my taxes go up anymore and I said I was born in this town and I'm going to die in this town. I love this town, but I can't afford to keep paying more tax and
more taxes. My electric, my gas, my insurance going up. My taxes go up a dollar. My electric bill goes up. It's time for me to pack it up and move. And I don't want to move. I love this town. I know everybody in this town. I
hang in front of my house. People ride by. Hey, Marty. How you doing? I love it. I know most of you in this town. And I'm not here to beat up on you guys. I want the best for the town. And God forbid. I hope there's no witness or
anything I hear because I've been through cancer twice. It's tough. So, I just hope you're doing for the good of the town and everything works out. That's all I got to say. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]
>> Hi, Adam Tamasic, 530 Washington. I just had a a quick question uh regarding the missile uh miss was saying uh advocating for um parks or buildings to go up there and and there was a reason
of deed restriction. Can you elaborate what that means? >> Yeah. Uh when a deed restriction exists, not the attorney, but I'll try this one. Uh there's prohibited prohibited activities uh or
planned activities like you can't build certain types of facilities. >> I I could illuminate what a deed restriction >> please. Yeah. >> I I'm not familiar with uh a deed restriction on this property, but a deed restriction is a limitation on what the property can be used for. So uh deed
restrictions could be imposed by the person that's selling it. uh the restrictions to be imposed by the government. You you see it sometimes where governments want to buy developmental rights so the the property stays vacant like not not developed uh
in the environmental D could impose deed restrictions uh with respect to the use of property because of contamination. There's a whole host of reasons why a property could be deed restricted, but the deed restrictions are generally imposed by a governmental entity or subdivision
or the owner of the property before they sell it. >> But it's unknown to this council that there is a de restriction on the property. >> No. when we were going through our affordable housing exercises, other things that the council has to do, um we we have a whole lot of land that we
couldn't necessarily overlay as affordable housing uh opportunities because of prior deed restrictions. So, when you're asking about can it be turned into housing? I believe the answer is no. It cannot because of those deed restrictions. >> Are those deed restrictions able to be found? Uh
>> I'm sure >> title search. >> I'm sorry. >> A title search. a title search in Kennallorth. Can I do that within the within this? >> Title search is done at the county level. >> At the county level, so Union County and then I could find out that what deed restrictions put on this property.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, it's you'll probably get a whole host of documents, right? The deeds and everything that were sold from, you know, years through the years. But when the council was doing uh trying to was the council trying to make it an affordable housing project over >> No, that's just a general we we had to
go through every town had to go through uh rounds with the state on where affordable housing could be built in your in your town >> and and that was that was xed out because of a deed restriction. Correct. >> Uh we had areas that we were able to choose from that wasn't there. My
understanding of it was because there was a deed restriction there. >> Okay. I'm just telling you what my understanding of everything was, >> right? Cuz I know I mean it it I Why would there be a deed restriction in an area where there is a lot of land to I
>> It's not fair to ask him to speculate because he doesn't quite know what the restriction was. He's saying that it's his recollection that there was some degree of a deep restriction. He thinks it was related. >> All right. And my last point is I just want to because I know New Jersey has
contaminated sites up the Wazoo and uh a lot of them there's brownfields projects uh done by the Department of Environmental Protection and they turn landfills into parks into affordable housing into areas that the community can benefit from. So I saying that
there's a deed restriction I mean for whatever reason it just doesn't seem like it's a viable option. But I will get back I will look into uh the county level and uh I will be back with more questions. Thank you. [applause] >> Good evening everyone. Um I will make
this quick. My name is Robin. I have uh had a lease in Kennallorth for 11 years right on Market Street. I know about those roads. They were horrible. They've been paved over and new construction uh made them bumpy again and then paved
over again. So I dealt with that for 11 years. Um I live in Cranford and uh I just want to first thank you guys because this is a thankless job and the anger that everybody has is you know
going towards you. It's not necessarily you but the whole situation that's going on. I've never spoken at a board meeting before. It's so it's very interesting. Uh very entertaining, I have to say. Um
one of the things that I I kind of wish you guys would too after this because you've seen so much uh anger and frustration [clears throat] about um not knowing enough information and who do we
go for this information? is have you talked to other towns? Coral Weeave has had at least 33 data centers. Have you gone to other towns that were not the first ones to see what
happened and was this a good thing or not a good thing? Um to see their pros and cons that kind of can help us form a more informed decision. So, I just kind of wanted to leave it like that.
Information is king and before we go down a road that we can't uh change. It would be great if we can get all the data and really inform the public and this is the pros and cons that happened to other places and we think it would be
viable or not viable. Thank you. [applause] Sorry. My name is Alyssa Magnificico and I live at 136 Bolton Avenue. I kind of lost my voice. So, um, since May 1st, the state of New Jersey has been under a
drought warning. Our reservoirs are drying up, but the people are the ones that are urged to conserve water, to take shorter showers, and drink less water. But somehow we can afford to build an AI database center. Are the corporations more important than the people? The board is deceptive. The
me deceptive. The mayor is saying the database center uses quote no water when it actually uses 70% less water to cool the systems which is still going to be a good amount of water and pollution. So why is she saying quote no water no
pollution? Last meeting the planner the planner and the planning board engineer were sitting to the right I believe saying there was nothing permitted to be built on the land yet there is building and apparently they didn't know what it
would be because they didn't know what was going to be permitted for the for the site to become and the chairman the chairman also said quote we are not talking about a data center all while the mayor currently had a post up to
Facebook saying it would it would be a data center there. And now you're telling us that it's been a like a while since it was like talked about that it would be a data center even though last time it was
kind of made clear that it wasn't sure that it was going to be a database center yet. I wanted to say that you're in this chair for a reason. You're supposed to be for the people. You're the one with the power and that's why we're coming to you and that's why we're so emotional tonight because it seems like you can't
answer any of our questions. I handed out 200 flyers around my area last week, all within 200 feet of the database center with some people that are here today as well. We are out here doing your job because you cannot properly notify the people around this site that
you're building. You can't even answer our questions really. And believe it or not, there are people who refuse to use AI and hold themselves accountable. There are ways around it. And to accuse my friend of using an AI and his message was incredibly disrespectful. You didn't
make that comment to anyone else. I don't know why you made it to him. >> The comment, and I will clarify this because there was no disrespect meant. If you took it that way, I do apologize. What I was saying was that everybody's using their phones. We had somebody up here talking about how they're worried
about poisoning things from runoff, staring at a phone, talking to us. How are these things made? Everybody's talking about the means and and what we don't want to No, you're you're going to continue using them. That's the point. The point I'm trying to make is that we're all benefiting from these things
with AI. And what I'm trying to draw the connection to is that even when you Google something now or read some article that's been printed by the New York Times or something like that, it's coming from AI. and we're here debating that AI shouldn't exist like it's and we're using it. So I and sir, there was
nothing really directed at you in my comment. I I you were just here reading from the thing and I heard what you were saying and I said I I almost read that article myself like I >> I read the same things that you're reading. I did not mean any disrespect towards you. So if that you you made it
a point to note it in your time that I was disrespecting somebody. So I'll make that my point to respond to you that that was not the intention. I appreciate that. So thank you for your comments. >> Even in your answer, it was a little bit condescending though talking about again like the comment about the water because
it is true. You know there is water that is needed to cool down the systems. It gets dumped on it. It seeps into the ground and then it evaporates and it comes back down as rain and that water is contaminated and that water will affect us down.
>> Thank you for your comments. Is there anybody else from the public who'd like to speak? >> Hello, [snorts] my name is Renee um from Union County. So, I just wanted to note a source from uh 2024. Um the amount of
data centers in the US is over 5,000. The next one in line is China with 449. Why does the US I mean the land of the free need that many data data centers? That's concerning for all of us. I've
read some things that there are trillions of dollars being invested into this. This is a big deal because it's going to be the next wave. So, I I can understand why the United States, the capitalism, shining beacon of the hill would be investing so much inside of
what is the future. That's what we do. I'm sure when the internet was started, >> Oracle and all those companies were doing the same thing and building all the infrastructure and that's what America does. So, I >> thank you. Thank you for that. But that wasn't a question. It was just a source. I just wanted to state that.
>> Well, you actually asked what you said. Why do you think that is? So, I answered. >> Thank you. Anyway, I just also want to commend you guys. You guys have been so responsive to all of us. So, really, thank you again. Um, the other thing with you guys on the council, right, in May 25 of last year, you guys gave
approval. And wasn't it concerning to be like there's not a lot of residents here to be like against the AI data center? Wouldn't you like maybe think that is a little weird? I think we average five people a meeting at best and that's usually our professionals who also live in town.
>> Think like just for your own conscious you didn't think like maybe more people should show up like or just it it was normal. >> No, actually the whole town big one. >> No, I'm saying but like center nobody ever complained about it. It's been there on site.
>> So obviously this must be you know bigger and larger. So yeah, there's definitely more concerns involved but they will be addressed. And I talked to the construction official there. If there's any problems, we can do stuff even after the fact. So, it's not going to be well, it's too late now. >> Yeah.
>> It'll be an ongoing thing. We're going to be watching it even more like a walk. Thanks to everyone bringing it to our attention. >> I appreciate a lot more concerns, but a lot of my research has not shown a lot. I'm saving my comments for the end so I can only have to say that once. >> Thank you. >> I have like two more points and then I'm
done. Sorry, I don't want to share my time. Um, question. If the Oh, not really. Um if the process is to provide a list like the clerk is to provide a list of people in the 200 ft uh to the applicant yet numerous residents were
here today last week that saying they did not receive or not made aware. Doesn't that alarm you as public servants to question what else is this applicant not doing or saying in the beginning stages of this? That's a
little concerning. Um, also I just want to say when we say ethical, it's subjective, right? From different standpoints, just like it is with construction, the word construction, it's kind of subjective, right? Because residents are seeing roads being pulled
up, trees being cut down, cable being down. To me, that looks like construction, especially when there's numerous signs outside that say construction in sight, deliveries go the other way, construction, be aware, construction. Thank you for your time, guys. Thank you.
[applause] >> Hi. Good evening. I'll be quick. I live in Union and um I drove around the other day. I Please state your name. >> Lillian. Lillian. I drove around and I saw these gigantic uh ugly metal utility
poles in near my home on Chesa and on the other street. I want to know did union know Union Township know about this? >> Have you gone to a union meeting? >> I'm asking you did did you cons?
>> Yeah, we know what we >> but I'm saying if it was going to be on a union street because one of the streets have these newly posted big ugly aesthetically ugly things going to power this a AI data center. Was did union
give you the okay? >> I we don't know what >> we don't know. That's what we've been hearing today. >> We don't know what union the city the town of Union. We don't know what they were approached anything done in their town. they would have to go through the
same process of filing permits and applications. >> So obviously they knew because if not they would not have permitted all this to they don't have the ability to permit or or deny just like we don't have the ability to deny applications in their
town. Uh that's a different issue as to whether or not they get notice but I just wanted to be clear that they they couldn't have said no. they they you know that's not anything that they have power over. >> So when they make eight huge utility
poles on a street on a residential street they were not supposed to notify the people the residents >> are is that street in union or >> it's union. >> Oh okay. Um that's a little bit different. Uh I would think that if it
was utility poles that the utility poles were installed by a utility company and the utility Yeah. And the utility companies have uh easements on all all thorough pairs uh to apply to to build
the infrastructure that's necessary. So uh I don't think that the municipality has the ability to stop that. So when you when this planning board approved [clears throat] that you guys didn't think about union residents and how greatly they would be affected as well
because like I stated last meeting, we are closer to that site than many of you all of you because you're I'm sure you're all here on this side and we're right in front of the site just like young lady said her grandmother lives right across the street. Anyway, it's ugly but I'm not going to keep repeating
the same thing that we're saying. the health concerns you wanted to minimize what's happening in the current datas data centers throughout the country in Texas and everything you wanted to compare and say you know this is an established site that wasn't but and you
were talking about I think water when it referred to water but there's going to be light uh disruption uh the the noise disruption the constant trucks coming in and
Um I just wanted to ask if it would be possible that you guys consider a moratorum for any future data center expansions at this site because as I understand right now there's one building that you approve to be a data
center but what's not to say they're going to build four or five different buildings of that's going to be a data center which is usually what happens. Um, can you commit to conducting
independent studies of the sound the uh diesel uh generators that are going to be powered by diesel that are going to make pollution into the air um and conduct your own independent environmental
studies? Would you guys be able to do that? >> I would not be making any kind of statement like that at this time. I'm not sure about my colleagues here, but I thank you for coming up and sharing your concerns. >> So, you are just stating that you just you heard everybody's what everybody's
stances and concerns if you don't. >> We're here to listen. Yeah. Thank you. >> Would you consider moratorum to stop any? >> Like I said, I wouldn't be in a position to answer a question like that right now. Well, we would be, but I'm not in a position to tell you right here, right now what my position would be.
>> When would you be? >> I would. Right. I don't know. You you're you're all >> you're all commended for coming up here and sharing all of your concerns. I think we've heard a lot of them repeated
over. They are major ones and they're worth repeating. So, we hear them and I thank you for that. We're not going to come out of this tonight with any kind of a decision on moratoriums and things like that. Our mayor isn't even sitting here right now. >> Oh, there's cities in this in this city that did. We're not in a position to
cities that did. >> I'm not even going to speak for my colleagues. I am not in a position to take a position on that. >> Well, there are cities that did >> that. That's I'm following that. Yeah. >> Concern. >> I hear that >> and it doesn't there's no concern >> and I I've my analysis from the infrastructure things I was talking
about before. I don't see the apples to apples from a lot of these other projects. That's why I was mentioning them. And I wasn't cherrypicking them. I think that I'm just responding to a lot of the things I've seen people talking about. They mentioned the Georgia power situations, the Texas light situations, the Indiana
there's not going to be extra lights there >> in behind. >> Well, when I think per house, >> when this came to our planning board, they were very specific about how the lighting was supposed to look. And they they go over these things methodically of what the direction and pitch and how
many candle light decimals or whatever they use to figure out how light it could be. They literally have scientific meters for these things. >> They have Can I add a little bit more? >> Sure, please. >> Um, so part of the site plan approval is
imposing the design standards and the bulk standards that are uh called for in our code. Uh, and maybe there's a a waiver, maybe there's a variance that's sought,
but those are the factors that the planning board considered when they granted site plan approval. So they did and I don't have the resolution that wasn't at the hearing. Uh but they're charged with the task of imposing reasonable conditions on on the use of
the site. So the planning board would have been the the body that evaluated what the light is, what the setback is, what the noise levels are, uh and would have had >> residents. Yeah. >> Not union. at at well you're allowed at
that meeting just like you came here >> union doesn't regulate it for the benefit of >> right so but you're saying that your people looked into this but for the Kennallorth residents that don't even live there on that side >> oh >> so of course everything's going to be roses and flowers yeah everything's great
>> the design standards well in this particular case presumably they were in the redevelopment plan so it did pertain to this particular lot however ever those standards
apply to the lot. So it would apply equally or I guess impact equally anybody that lived next to the lot regardless whether or not they're in union >> I don't think I think anybody's home backs up to that >> if there is I'm going to give you a
hypothetical to try to explain what I meant. If there was a noise limit of 10, whatever unit measurement you want to use at the property line, it can't exceed the noise of 10 dB at the property line.
It doesn't matter if it's a property line that's ordering union or b ordering a Kennaworth resident. The reality is it can't exceed 10 at any property line. Similarly, if there was a
limit on uh a maximum light uh capacity, three foot candles, that applies to the whole site. It doesn't matter uh if uh it's on the border of Union or on the border of a Kennlework neighbor. That's
a flat figure that's going to apply across the whole site. So that regulation which Kennall thought was reasonable to impose upon its citizens will also give the same benefit to the union citizens. So that's the point I'm
trying to make. >> Okay? Just don't ignore our concerns please and we want to prevent something that's not uh reversible. >> Thank you. >> I could answer one of your questions. You talked about the planning board.
They were cognizant obviously of union and then uh of any housing light pollution all there's a lot of measures that were imposed noise everything that was we uh the planning board has considered and if those measures are
insufficient we will impose more measures do plan on being a good neighbor just not going to you know disregard the fact that people live there so it's definitely and I just vote for the the code enforcement tonight and
reinforce we can do it anything even in retro after the fact. So >> thank you. >> Not going to be ignored. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the public wish to speak? >> Hlet Rogan 250 Foot Avenue.
I just have a problem with the nurse. I don't know if she's still here. I'm sure she's not. And especially for those that do not live in Kennorth. Please do not ever accu call this board burnt out. This mayor and castle, all
these mayors, the mayor of Castle have full-time jobs. They have families and they're not here because they're making the big bucks. Let me tell you, they love this town and they give everything that they can. So,
they're not burnt out. And all of you in every town that you live in, if you are so interested, show up at a meeting. Five people, sometimes none here. Same thing with the board of education. That's where the taxes are from. It's
the school systems is where most of our taxes come from. That's not going to change. That's probably going to grow because the town is getting more people in it. So, how about getting on the board? How about stepping forward and taking over? People don't want to even
run and do you blame them? So, I thank you with all my heart, all of you. Even though sometimes I fight with this. >> Thank you, Paul. >> Anyone else wish to speak? Seeing no one, I'd like a motion to
close the floor for public discussion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Councilman Bole, seconded by Councilman Finestrella. Do the right thing. Do the right thing. >> Uh, I'd like Oh, is there any other comments for the good and well-being of
counterorth? [clears throat] >> Wait. >> Um, >> I did search [clears throat] illegal actions against borrowed have to do with investors. Nothing to do with any environmental impact.
um solution that I researched. The main thing from them, they they cite diesel generators, which are only supposed to run if their backup and the grid are bound. They're not supposed to run those constantly. I I would assume that they might test them, but obviously better be
doing it during the day, maybe one at a time. And if they make any noise, you could possibly totally enclose them. Um Well, the other thing I hear a lot of environmental mental impact >> when there's no, you know, when we're building thousands of apartments, all
this, nobody, nobody speaks out. And I I always thought that was odd because with the electric cars and everything, you know, like I I know they're upgrading the grid. I know uh good works. So I said, what are these big teles have to upgrade the grid? You can't handle what's coming. you know, it had
nothing to do with data session, just general. >> Yes, it does. >> I'm sorry. It's this is not the public session. >> And so this before we even had I think a redevelopment >> they were and they said, "Well, why do you have to have them that high?" The
reason why is because they had, you know, >> because they're going to be putting more voltage through. >> So that was in in the works as it was. [snorts] >> There was talk with the subdivision. There was talk. It is only talk. They might be selling metal and because there
was talk of possibly cutting your street in there. There was talk initially uh and those this could all be have been scrapped. We don't know. Um they were supposed to possibly put a hotel uh or something within but something better. Supposed to be doing international
research. People are going to take the helicopters and land over there. Um possibly in a restaurant something. Again, this is talk. Maybe that could be it. I don't know. We'll have to wait and see what is proposed. Maybe they will set, maybe they won't. But these were other things that they were proposing
which um probably bring their own issues. We definitely take a look at it. It's also supposed to again it would depend on rain, but they have systems like going to capture any kind of rainfall and try to use that. Not going to be obviously put that probably
>> there are a cogent of that. I was glad to hear that. Um just like in the old days you had the rain barrels which you're right with the price of water you might bring those back. Um there are no plans to currently expand their uh power [clears throat] generation there right
now. The big why we all got hit. It's not just data centers. I'm going to say definitely they closed six power plants in New Jersey. Six. One was nuclear and the other ones were cold. They closed them and they thought they were going to they did that before they had their solar farms up
even their windmills that were supposed to supplement it. Now we get our power from that state and that's why we're getting hit as well. And that was bad planning on state government back when Murphy was in. Um I look for property values. I own property myself. I'm not
going to shoot myself in the foot. And it if it's built correctly and it's not u it should actually bring up because there's a high paying people be coming in here maybe they'll buy homes here. I don't know that's that's what my research like your research is only as
good as the answers that are sped back to you. Um there was no discount given to Merc as far as taxes. They fought like hell to lower their taxes before it was even on council. They uh knock buildings down because I all used to
make medicines right here in town. Used to be the pill box in New Jersey. Now everything's made in China. I'm not that I rather and I walk through those buildings all empty. I said where all the people go? All the jobs. I wish they were still here. I really do. Um unfortunately we don't own the land and
we can't dictate exactly other than giving some uses of those 15 um work very hard and they won in court. They beat us in court. They said we were overt taxing them. We had to pay them back. Taxes over millions um all in the
same year. That's why everyone got hit so hard. Um Core Weave is operating 43 data centers in North America and Europe. They're currently building them in UK, Spain, and other places. I haven't really seen I'm like is there any negative environment just to see how
they operate? Are they good operators? So far I haven't found I know some data centers and that's why it was you know really up meta in some other places. Yeah they they have poor designs. I wish there was a representative here that could have explained why their center would be different like they have in
other testimony before um and if nobody I definitely I would like to know if everyone was properly notified. If not that's a problem. >> Now as far as putting billboards out it's never been done. It's not required, but at least 200 f feet and they're
supposed to do that. So, I would like to know for myself because that that's that has to be done. It should have been done. I don't know. There's a loophole somewhere. I I can't speak to that if you people should have known. Now, I mean, there's people from Westfield far
away. They wanted to be notified. It's just I don't know if that's practical. I know that's definitely not the law. Everything is done by the law. We have an attorney here and he keeps us on the rails. They will tell us, "Oh, you can't do that. you can't you can't do this. That's why we have them because we >> and and and the board has its own attorney, too.
>> Exactly. And a lot of times they'll jump in, but no, no, you can't do a lot of things you think you can or can't do. So, that's why they're here just to keep us on on legal footing. So, everything's up and down. Um and and it's
and know someone mentioned West Jersey. I was thinking I would I'd be more upset. And I know in Georgia, I think they did They took farmland and took like virgin forest, cut it down and build there. I I would be not afford like this place is not like you there's
no forest there, you know. I would definitely I wouldn't want any development on any kind of virgin forest, you know, and I'm very upset that there's no like we pay for open space and yet I never see any open space preserved. All I see is apartments going
everywhere congesting our roads and hey, there's food supply too. I wonder about the food supply. You got how many more millions of people? Food. Uh and they're still going to use power and water, too. So maybe not as much as a a data center, but um you know, I'm glad at least some
people are thinking about that. I do think about that. It's kind of what I ran for office. And that's about all I have for my comments. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> No. A motion to adjurnn. >> Motion by Mr. Bole. Second by Councilman
Finola. >> Have a good night. Oh, all in favor I >> have a good night. [music] >> [music]