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Roselle Park council tables intermunicipal coordination resolution on Kenilworth data center after resident concerns
Summary
Councilmembers voted 3–2 to table Resolution 111-26, which requested intermunicipal coordination and impact mitigation related to a proposed data center in neighboring Kenilworth, citing unanswered questions about infrastructure and environmental impacts raised by councilmembers and residents.
The Roselle Park Borough Council voted 3–2 on May 11 to table Resolution 111-26, which had sought formal intermunicipal coordination and impact mitigation related to a proposed data center development in nearby Kenilworth.
Councilman Rubino introduced the resolution and said the measure was intended to secure Roselle Park a “seat at the table” so borough officials would be informed of planning or construction that could affect municipal infrastructure and residents’ quality of life. Several councilmembers said they supported the goal but asked for more concrete information before approving the request.
Councilman Petrosky said he did not have enough information to vote yes and preferred to delay until staff could provide further details. After debate, Petrosky, Councilman Ravina and Councilwoman Lyons voted in favor of tabling; Councilman Johnson and Councilman Patel voted against the motion to table. The council recorded three votes in the affirmative and two against, and the motion to table was agreed to.
During public comment later in the meeting, resident Cara Aguirre (303 Walnut) urged the council to seek additional disclosure and questioned environmental and health risks tied to certain closed-loop cooling and water treatment systems she says are part of the proposed data center’s design. Aguirre told the council she had attended the Kenilworth planning hearing and said some nearby residents received late or inconsistent notification about approvals. She read a passage describing how contaminants can accumulate in recycled closed-loop water and said those potential off-site impacts should be assessed for communities within several miles.
The council did not adopt the intermunicipal coordination resolution at this meeting; members who supported tabling said they wanted time to gather more technical information and resident input before taking a position. No formal enforcement action was taken and no deadlines for follow-up were set during the meeting.
