The City of Linden extends warm wishes to everyone celebrating Sukkot.
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a seven-day holiday that celebrates the autumn harvest and emphasizes gratitude for life’s blessings. We wish all who celebrate a joyful holiday filled with peace, togetherness and meaningful time with family and friends.
The City of Linden extends its warmest wishes to all residents, families and members of our community observing Yom Kippur.
May this solemn day of reflection bring peace, meaning and comfort to all who observe. We wish everyone an easy and meaningful fast and a peaceful Yom Kippur.
The City of Linden extends warm wishes to all residents and families celebrating Rosh Hashanah. We wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and sweet new year filled with peace, happiness, and new opportunities.
LINDEN, N.J., September 14, 2026 – Mayor Derek Armstead and the Linden City Council today announced plans to introduce an ordinance prohibiting AI data centers in all zoning districts throughout the City of Linden.
As data centers expand across the United States, Linden officials are taking action to protect the community from large-scale developments that can place substantial demands on local electricity and water systems while contributing to pollution, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions.
“In the City of Linden, we take the time to do our homework,” Mayor Derek Armstead said. “After a comprehensive review of the potential environmental, infrastructure, and quality-of-life impacts, we concluded that this type of development is not right for our city.”
“Our City Council has investigated this issue carefully, and for many of us, it was important to take a definitive stand,” Council President Michele Yamakaitis said. “The clearest way to communicate that AI data centers are not appropriate for Linden is to adopt an ordinance that expressly prohibits them.”
Growing Demand for Energy and Water
Rapid AI growth is accelerating energy and water demands. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, data centers consumed 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, a figure projected to reach 6.7% to 12% by 2028.
Globally, a 2026 United Nations University report estimated data center consumption in 2025 at 448 terawatt-hours of electricity, generating 189 million metric tons of CO2 emissions and consuming 4.5 trillion liters of water. These national and global figures do not predict the impact of any particular facility in Linden. However, city officials said they illustrate the scale of the infrastructure and environmental demands associated with the industry’s continued growth.
Climate Risks Require Local Action
Global temperature is normally measured against the 1850-1900 preindustrial baseline, rather than by calculating a percentage increase since 2000. Scientific assessments indicate that the planet has already warmed by approximately 1.3°C, or 2.3°F, above preindustrial levels. Under current government policies, the United Nations has warned that warming could reach approximately 3.1°C, or 5.6°F, by 2100 – not that the world is on track to prevent 3.6 degrees of warming. “Climate change is an existential threat that affects every community,” Sixth Ward Councilman Eloy Javier Delgado said. “Preventing AI data centers from being developed in Linden is one way to avoid adding to the problem. It also sends a strong signal to state and national leaders that we need to pause, evaluate the consequences, and protect both our environment and public safety.”
City officials emphasized that rising global temperatures increase the risks associated with extreme heat, heavy precipitation, coastal flooding, drought, and other severe weather events. The proposed ordinance is intended to complement Linden’s broader efforts to protect residents, preserve local resources, and plan responsibly for future development.
Youth Climate Advocates Join the Discussion
During the city’s review, Commissioner Brianna Armstead connected local officials with the Climate Action Revolution Network, a New Jersey youth climate advocacy organization, so that its members could share their research and perspective. “I believed it was important for our local officials to connect with the Climate Action Revolution Network and hear directly from young people who will live with the long-term consequences of today’s decisions,” Commissioner Armstead said. “It was powerful to see city officials engage with a youth organization committed to protecting the only home we have – planet Earth.”
The proposed ordinance prohibiting AI data centers throughout Linden will be introduced at the September 15, 2026, City Council meeting. For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (908) 474-8493.
A special meeting of the Linden District Management Corporation has been scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.to be held at 403 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ; the purpose of the meeting is as follows:
Official action will be taken.
The Special Meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was sent via email to the Local Source, The Star Ledger and the Home News Tribune on Thursday, July 23, 2026. In addition, copies of this notice were posted on the bulletin board in City Hall and the Municipal Website.
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for our area beginning Tuesday, July 1 at 12:00 PM and continuing through Thursday, July 3 at 9:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from heat-related illness during this period of dangerously high temperatures.
Individuals at the greatest risk include:
Heat-related illness can range from mild to severe and includes:
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are medical emergencies and can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
To stay safe during extreme heat:
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Health and ask to speak with one of the public health nurses. Heat safety resources are available from the New Jersey Department of Health here*. Please take the necessary precautions and stay safe during this period of extreme heat.
* External Link Notice– Clicking any external link will cause you to leave the City of Linden website and access a site not maintained or controlled by the City. The City of Linden is not responsible for, and cannot guarantee the accuracy of, the content, security, availability, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information on external websites, nor does it endorse any views, products, or services they may offer.
Linden TV’s major system upgrades are now fully live, making Linden TV more accessible than ever before.
Both Linden TV channels, Verizon 42 and Comcast 36, are fully operational with updated programming and enhanced viewing capabilities.
Residents no longer require a traditional cable subscription to stay connected with City programming and community information. Instead, residents may now access Linden TV programming in multiple ways!
Residents can watch in real time from their phones, tablets, or computers.
These upgrades represent a major step forward in expanding public accessibility, transparency, and community engagement through modern digital platforms. Further expansion plans are already underway, including future availability of Linden TV on platforms such as Roku and Amazon, which will further increase the reach and convenience of City programming.
This year’s theme acknowledges that the roots of service run deep in public works. It has propelled public works innovations that have helped our communities evolve, where people can lead lives of purpose and possibility.
Some work, such as building roads and bridges, is highly visible. Other public works contributions, including the operations and maintenance of storm & sanitary sewer systems, public buildings & properties, traffic signals & parking meters, trees, parks, vehicles, landscaping, and capital improvements are sometimes hidden from view.
Together, these efforts form the foundation of thriving communities, reminding us that every project, seen or unseen, powers the connection between service and the people it supports.
The Linden Police Department is now hiring intergovernmental transfers. To apply, please submit this form.
Periodically, we send out information to Linden residents regarding important information pertaining to tax collection. To receive these emails, please fill out the form below.