Data Centers, DPW Study To Be Discussed By Mendham Township

MENDHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — New rules governing banners on municipal property and a proposed study of the township’s public works operations are among the items scheduled for consideration by the Mendham Township Committee next week.

The committee will meet Monday at Town Hall, located at 2 West Main Street in Brookside. A closed executive session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., followed by the public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Residents may also attend remotely through Zoom.

Committee members are expected to introduce an ordinance establishing an official municipal banner program at a single designated location in front of the Township Annex Building.

Under the proposal, banners could promote township-sponsored programs and events or recognize civic, cultural, military, educational, patriotic and public-awareness observances formally recognized by the township.

All banners would be considered government speech and would require approval by a majority vote of the Township Committee at a public meeting. The program would not create a forum for private expression, according to the ordinance.

Applications could be submitted by township residents, qualifying nonprofit organizations and official municipal boards or committees. Requests would generally need to be filed between 30 and 90 days before the proposed display date.

Banners could remain up for no more than 31 consecutive days and generally could not exceed 24 square feet. Applicants would be responsible for production, delivery and retrieval costs.

The proposal would prohibit banners promoting political candidates, parties, ballot questions, religious doctrine, private businesses or fundraising campaigns. Political advocacy, commercial advertising and calls to political action would also be barred.

Because the ordinance is scheduled for introduction, it would require a subsequent public hearing and final vote before taking effect.

The committee will also consider awarding a contract of up to $5,200 to Mendham resident Rick Blood for an operational study of the Department of Public Works. According to the proposed resolution, the review would help officials determine the appropriate size and needs of the township’s public works functions while examining municipal financial and budgetary impacts.

Other discussion items listed on the agenda include:

• A proposed tree ordinance
• The township’s banner policy
• Feedback on emergency brush pickup
• Local ordinances and debates surrounding data centers in other communities
• An update on the structure of the Land Stewardship Working Group

The committee is also scheduled to vote on paying township bills and issuing a $3,602.76 refund stemming from a state tax appeal.

Public-comment periods are scheduled near the beginning and end of the meeting. Remote participants may use Zoom’s “Raise Hand” feature or dial *9 when joining by phone.

See the full agenda here.

The township will hold only one Township Committee meeting in August, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18.