Council President Stephen M. Chisholm Jr. criticized the proposed overturning of EPA guidelines on electric vehicles, citing it as an example of unwanted intervention trickling down to local levels. Chisholm argued that the proposed emission standards are “based on faulty science and promotion of leftist ideas,” and could burden taxpayers with costs related to infrastructure deterioration and increased public safety risks.

Chisholm’s concerns revolve around the House of Representatives considering HR 4468, which he says could increase electric vehicle production to an unachievable level and timeframe according to manufacturers. This could potentially result in increased costs for taxpayers who subsidize the vehicles and infrastructure, even if they don’t own one.

In addition to the electric vehicle issue, the Council also finalized changes to zoning ordinances. These changes are part of the resolution of multiple lawsuits involving the Department of Justice, the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, and private plaintiffs. The lawsuits alleged discrimination in the township’s land use and development regulations, particularly against religious institutions.

The new ordinances will allow religious institutions to be treated the same as non-religious institutions in terms of land usage. This means that if a public school is permitted in a zone, a private religious school must also be permitted in the same zone. This change aims to address the lawsuits’ claims of discriminatory treatment of religious institutions.

The Council also clarified that the changes would not remove residents’ due process rights, and all applications for private schools and houses of worship will still need to go before either the planning board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment.