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Residents press Clark council on legal costs, Zoom access and data-center planning; mayor and BA respond
Summary
Multiple residents at the June 25 Clark council meeting urged the township to provide Zoom access, explain rising legal fees and study data-center policy; the mayor and the business administrator responded with explanations about litigation costs, state pilot laws and a plan to pursue shared disposal options with Westfield for bulky waste.
Residents used the public-comment portions of the June 25 special council meeting to press officials on transparency, legal spending and planning for possible data centers.
Early in the meeting, John Greavves asked whether the council would make meetings accessible by Zoom and questioned the cost and deliverables of a contracted public-relations firm. "What is the PR department or firm that you hired for $30,000 doing?" he asked, and also asked why recorded meetings were treated as an adequate substitute for live remote access when some residents must leave early for childcare obligations.
Greavves also raised rising legal-fee totals and the effect of developer Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) arrangements on school budgets and taxpayers, citing what he said were multi-year increases in school tax levies and arguing residents are shouldering more of the burden.
Julia Collins asked whether Clark residents could use the Westfield Conservation Center to dispose of specific items after reports that some residents had been turned away. Officials said they are negotiating a county arrangement to permit Clark residents to drop off mattresses and other bulky items off-cycle and that further details would be provided once agreements are finalized.
Resident Mike Decker flagged a long-vacant AMP property near the Westfield Avenue corridor that he said looks structurally deteriorated and could attract children and trespassers. "I'm worried about them getting in there. I'm worried about people getting hurt," he said, asking the township to evaluate structural integrity and secure or demolish the building until redevelopment occurs.
Mike Schulman questioned the status of outstanding civil-rights litigation and disciplinary proceedings, saying an article suggested an appeal had been filed when he understood no appeal had been submitted. He also urged the township to proactively study data-center development and not wait to react after projects are proposed.
Mayor Albanese and Business Administrator Jim addressed the questions. The mayor said the PR contract funds have been used sparingly to date (one press release) and that much of the township’s legal spending reflects special counsel, redaction work and responses to voluminous OPRA (public-record) requests. On PILOTs and school budgets, the mayor said the township follows state law and that shifting revenue between municipal and school line items does not change the total tax bill to residents. The administration said disciplinary-hearing scheduling is delayed by the volume of documents that must be provided to the hearing officer.
Officials also said the township is consulting with planning-law counsel on whether updating the master plan would be the appropriate vehicle to address data-center risks and that only two zones currently permit such facilities; they emphasized caution so changes will withstand legal review. On the vacant AMP property, staff said demolition permits are anticipated after required baiting certification is submitted and that the township hopes removal will occur within weeks.
Council members thanked residents for raising concerns, congratulated graduates and reminded the public about July 4 events. Officials said they will provide follow-up on disposal arrangements with Westfield and will report back on financing terms and procurement steps for the adopted bond ordinance.
