One of the most contentious subjects at the recent West Orange Town Council meeting was the approval of a professional services agreement with the Nishuane Group for Township planner services. Concerns were raised by council members regarding the $12,500 per month fee in addition to hourly rates for specific projects. The debate was characterized by differing opinions on the necessity and cost of the services, with some council members questioning the additional hourly rates and advocating for a full-time planner within the town’s budget. Despite these concerns, the council voted to reconsider and ultimately approved the resolution with amendments, including adding the case number for clarity.

The meeting also featured a special presentation by Dr. Josie VZ and Patricia West on the “Be Kind” campaign initiated by the Public Relations Commission. The campaign’s aim to foster a kinder community through acts of kindness was underscored, with a reported 53,479 people having received kindness cards. The Human Relations Commission’s handbag drive was another topic of discussion, encouraging residents to support women facing challenges by donating handbags.

In the wake of Congressman Donald Payne Jr.’s passing, the council members observed a moment of silence and shared their personal connections with him and his contributions to the community. The meeting also included a proclamation recognizing April as National Autism Month, though the family and advocacy group scheduled to attend had to cancel their participation due to unforeseen circumstances.

The council discussed the scheduling of the meeting in light of the ongoing Passover holiday and potential adjustments to the agenda. Updates were provided on the Older Adults Advisory Board’s programs, and there was an expression of gratitude for the recognition of the work in the schools.

The meeting covered a variety of community initiatives, from the success of the West Orange Restaurant Week and plans for the upcoming Street Fair to Arbor Day activities and events at the Edison National Historical Site, such as the display of a 1913 Model T and the reopening of the Black Mariah. Furthermore, the completion of crosswalks and intersections was reported, with immediate results observed and involvement from third graders at Redwood School.

The council took a moment to recognize the recent passing of Congressman Payne and offered condolences to a council member who had lost a family member. A resolution appointing Lou Reynolds as Director of the Department of Public Works was discussed, and Reynolds was sworn in during the meeting.

During the public comments session, a resident raised concerns about the overuse of gas-powered blowers and proposed clearing of trees in Mount Pleasant Forest, requesting the return of planning board and town council meetings to Zoom for public comment. One council member responded, expressing opposition to a return to Zoom commenting due to past disruptions but emphasized the accessibility of elected officials to the public.

The council debated the potential gas leaf blower ordinance and the Mount Pleasant Forest’s safety, with one member supporting forest protection from development due to safety concerns. Additionally, the use of Zoom for Planning Board meetings was discussed, with suggestions for relocating meetings to accommodate older residents or those with accessibility challenges.

Deliberation on specific resolutions revealed questions about the replacement of equipment and the allocation of funds, with one council member seeking clarification and suggesting potential amendments to the resolutions.