News 12 | New Jersey

Andover officials plan to introduce an ordinance to ban artificial intelligence data centers in the township following a public meeting that ended in a clash between police and a resident.
The altercation was widely circulated on social media, leading to community backlash against a proposed AI data center located at a former airport site, specifically off Route 206.
Residents voiced strong opposition to the data center, citing environmental concerns and quality-of-life impacts as primary issues.
Mayor Tom Walsh highlighted that the approved meeting video does not fully capture the incident, claiming that the disruptive resident resisted officers physically.
The township is now moving forward with two ordinances: one banning data centers in Andover Township entirely, and another specifically removing data centers from being permitted in the former airport area.
Tax revenue potential, estimated at $5 million, was the initial rationale for considering the data center proposal, but it contributed to significant community division and led to threats against the mayor and his family.
The township committee plans to discuss and introduce these new ordinances in an upcoming meeting on Tuesday.
The community has shown remarkable unity in opposing the data centers, demonstrating a strong local concern over the issue.