Proposals to extend three contracts for tree-removal services, renew two no-bid contracts for legal services for property tax appeals, and approve a three-lot subdivision on Lincoln Avenue head the agenda for the February 11, 2014, council meeting.
The meeting agendas and related materials are here.
The council is also asked to consider on second reading a salary ordinance to raise the pay for the mechanics helper position by 18% and also consider a renewal of rent control on first reading.
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Council is asked to consider renewal of the no-bid contract to Blau & Blau of Springfield for legal services for commercial property tax appeals at $6,000 per month for nine months. The firm has provided services since September 2012. Council is also asked to consider renewal of the no-bid contract to Edwin Matthews of Bourne, Noll & Kenyon, Summit, for residential property tax appeals at $3,250 per month for nine months. Mr. Matthews began these services in January 2013.
The administration asks the council to extend three tree-removal contracts first competitively awarded to begin in January 2013. Two contracts are held by Kevin Downes Tree Service of Hawthorne and the other by Dujet Tree Experts of West Paterson.
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Council is also asked to approve a plan, already approved by the Planning Board, for the estate of Hugh Forfar to subdivide two existing lots into three lots to build homes on property known as 45-49 Lincoln Avenue. The estate plans improvements to the property that include sewer, street and sidewalk extensions. The proposal does not require the town to bear the cost of the improvements, although the town will eventually incorporate the street and sewer extensions into its regular services.
The administration is requesting approval of a salary ordinance on second reading to raise the maximum pay for a mechanic’s helper in the Public Works department from $49,372 to $58,141, or 17.8%. The proposed ordinance is here.
The administration is also asking council to consider on first reading the renewal of the rent-control ordinance. Authority for the law expired in October 2010 “due to an unknown administrative oversight,” according to the ordinance’s legislative history. The ordinance will make authority retroactive as allowed under case, according to the history.
If you’d like to contact the council with your thoughts on any of these issues, please send an e-mail to council@westorange.org or call 973.325.4155 to leave a message.
I’m a West Orange Township councilman since 2010, reachable at jkrakoviak@westorange.org. I'm a business communications consultant in my spare time.
