Residents press council about proposed car wash and treatment of public commenters; mayor responds

Several residents used the council’s public-comment period on March 30 to raise environmental concerns and to criticize the tone of the prior car-wash discussion. Deborah Margolis (resident) told the council she was disappointed by how residents were treated at a previous meeting and warned about chemicals and runoff associated with car-wash operations.

"That is not what respectful participatory government looks like," Margolis said, adding she had researched water use and the presence of so-called "forever chemicals" in some waxes and soaps and asked whether the township required the car-wash operator to avoid those substances.

The mayor responded directly during his remarks, disputing what he described as unfounded objections and pointing listeners to NJDEP guidance. "If you go to NJDEP website, it will tell you car wash is far more environmentalist than the other options," he said, arguing that commercial car-wash systems and permitted wastewater handling can be less harmful than washing vehicles on private driveways.

Council members who spoke during the meeting urged civil engagement and clear answers to residents’ policy questions. No council action on the car-wash proposal occurred at the March 30 meeting; public comment items were recorded for the record and the mayor and administration noted where staff had posted additional information online.