USA - East Brunswick nixes water fluoride: Mayor says it's 'mass medication of public'

"The township will end its mass medication of the public by ending the use of fluoride in the water system," he said. "I've read much data on the pros and cons of putting fluoride in our water system. When fluoride was first introduced it was not easy for individuals to get it any other way. Today there are many other options. In addition, so many people are choosing to drink bottled water rather than tap. I just believe it's the time to end this."

Council President Michael Hughes, who like the mayor is a Republican, says he remains "open minded" about the issue and that if residents come out in support of fluoride the township could renew the supply.

It costs the township about $70,000 a year to fluoridate the water, Hughes said, and many people in town drink bottled water or filter their taps, which removes the fluoride.

"I haven't done the digging into the research. I don't have a strong opinion on it either way," he said. "I came to it from a dollars-and-cents perspective."