Andover Township, NJ — A community member was detained and removed by police Wednesday night during a volatile public meeting over a proposed AI data center in Sussex County, where residents accused township officials of favoring a multibillion-dollar corporation while local schools and utility costs continue to strain taxpayers.
Residents demanded that the town council rejects a PILOT program and force the developer to pay their own fair share in taxes.
“How much are they paying you,” one speaker asked the governing body. “We deserve to know. Nobody in this room wants this except for you six.”
The chaotic meeting in Andover Township drew angry crowds inside and outside a barn-like venue as protesters shouted “No Data Centers” and demanded answers about possible tax breaks, zoning changes and the future of the former Newton Airport property on Stickles Pond Road.
The dispute has become one of New Jersey’s most heated local battles over AI infrastructure projects, with residents warning the development could permanently alter the rural community while driving up electricity demand and environmental pressures.
Arrest escalates already tense showdown
A COMMUNITY MEMBER HAS BEEN ARRESTED AT A DATA CENTER HEARING IN ANDOVER NJ!
— Ben Dziobek (@BenDziobek) May 8, 2026
The rural town was meeting in a barn and planned to give massive tax breaks to a $20 billion company while schools are under funded and residents electric bills keep going through the roof! pic. /eMPkSPA8qE
Witnesses and videos posted on social media showed police escorting a man from the packed May 7 township meeting after tensions boiled over between residents and local officials.
Authorities had not publicly identified the individual or released details about possible charges as of Friday.
The confrontation came after weeks of mounting outrage over a proposed AI data center reportedly tied to a company valued at roughly $20 billion.
Residents packed the meeting to challenge township leaders over discussions involving a potential Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement, commonly known as a PILOT, which opponents say could hand major tax incentives to a massive corporation while local schools remain underfunded.
Many residents also voiced fears that the project’s enormous energy demands could increase electricity costs for homeowners already facing rising utility bills.
Zoning fight triggers legal threats
The controversy intensified after the Andover Township Committee approved ordinances in April raising the maximum allowable height for data centers from 50 feet to 65 feet.
Opponents argue the change was crafted specifically to benefit a single developer tied to the proposed project at the former Newton Airport site.
Residents retained an attorney who warned township officials that legal action would follow unless the zoning amendments were rescinded.
Critics claim the ordinances violate New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law by effectively tailoring regulations for one project instead of broader community planning purposes.
Mayor Thomas Walsh Jr. has rejected allegations that township officials acted secretly or improperly.
Walsh stated that no formal site application for a data center has been submitted and described public fears surrounding the proposal as “premature.”
Still, many residents said the township failed to provide enough transparency about discussions involving the potential development and possible financial incentives.
Key Points
• A man was detained and removed by police during a heated AI data center meeting in Andover Township
• Residents oppose possible tax breaks and zoning changes tied to a proposed project at the former Newton Airport
• Community members fear rising electric costs, environmental impacts and strain on local resources
Residents fear impact on schools, utilities and environment
The growing backlash reflects broader anxiety across New Jersey as AI data centers rapidly expand and compete for power, land and water resources.
At the Andover Township meeting, residents repeatedly questioned why local officials would consider tax incentives for a multibillion-dollar company while schools continue facing funding challenges.
Others warned that large-scale AI facilities require enormous amounts of electricity and water for cooling systems, potentially placing pressure on regional infrastructure and utility grids.
Noise pollution concerns also surfaced during the meeting, particularly given the township’s rural character and proximity to residential neighborhoods.
The proposed project would be located at the site of the former Newton Airport on Stickles Pond Road, an area residents say lacks infrastructure for a massive industrial-scale technology operation.
Part of larger statewide data center battles
The Andover Township conflict mirrors similar disputes unfolding across New Jersey in 2026 as municipalities weigh the economic promises of AI data centers against community concerns over infrastructure strain and environmental impact.
Residents in Kenilworth and Vineland have also pushed back against proposed data center developments tied to escalating energy demands and quality-of-life concerns.
Supporters of such projects often argue they can generate millions in local revenue through taxes and economic activity, though critics question whether long-term community costs outweigh the financial benefits.
For now, the Andover Township proposal remains in limbo.
No formal site application has been submitted, according to township officials, but residents signaled Wednesday night that opposition to the project is intensifying rapidly.
The legal fight over the zoning changes also remains unresolved as community members continue pressing township leaders for more public disclosure and accountability.