Toms River Mayor Calls on Township Council to Pass Legally Enforceable Ban on Data Centers

Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick is calling on the Township Council to immediately revise and readopt a proposed ordinance banning data centers after the Planning Board attorney identified provisions that do not comply with New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law.

Rodrick said he strongly supports prohibiting data centers in the township, citing concerns about their substantial electricity consumption, potential strain on local infrastructure, and impact on the community.

“I strongly support banning data centers in Toms River. Our residents don’t want massive, energy-hungry industrial facilities consuming enormous amounts of electricity, straining infrastructure, and threatening the character of our community,” Rodrick said. “We need a ban that actually protects our residents—not one that falls apart in court.”

The mayor also criticized Township Council President Dave Ciccozzi, accusing him of advancing ordinances without properly consulting the township’s legal professionals.

“Council President Ciccozzi needs to stop playing attorney,” Rodrick said. “You cannot run municipal government by copying and pasting ordinances from ChatGPT. This is serious business, not amateur hour.”

Rodrick warned that failing to address the legal concerns raised by the Planning Board attorney could leave the proposed ban vulnerable to challenges from developers, potentially undermining the township’s efforts to restrict data center construction.

“Our residents deserve better than ChatGPT-generated ordinances that jeopardize the very protections they’re supposed to provide,” Rodrick said.

The mayor’s statement did not indicate when the Council is expected to reconsider the proposed ordinance.