September 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

41 of 71 sheets Page 161 to 164 of 180 09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM 161 traffic impacts.1 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Good evening. Please come2 forward and state your name.3 THE PUBLIC: Yes, it's Orin Knights,4 K-N-I-G-H-T-S. O-R-I-N.5 This statement is towards Mayor McCartney,6 President Rutherford, the board and to this gentleman7 over here, the chairman. We are all taxpayers in this8 community and we are concerned that the project that's9 going to affect the entire community. But since I have10 been coming to this meeting or these meetings, I find11 that you, Mr. Chairman, you need to speak to us, the12 residents, with respect. Because the taxpayers, we pay13 a lot of taxes to live in West Orange. So I want to ask14 you if you can speak to us with respect. Because we15 have concerns. The woman that was just up here, she's16 talking about safety concerns as well and there's a lot17 of other concerns that we have. But it's very18 disrespectful if you can't listen to us as taxpayers,19 and that's all I have to say for now. Thank you.20 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay. So let me respond,21 sir. We have the greatest respect for taxpayers who22 come up and focus on the application before us. The23 applicant is also a taxpayer in the township of West24 Orange. No matter who comes before the board there are25 162 rules, just like in a courtroom. This is a quasi1 judicial body, the goal is that on behalf of the2 taxpayers we hear the information pertinent to the3 application with due respect. Once people disrespect4 the board and the applicant and the people sitting in5 the room by bringing in things that they believe are6 part of the application but have absolutely no value, we7 do believe and understand your issues. Absolutely.8 Unfortunately at this moment that road is not part of9 this application. We have to understand how we have to10 respect the application in front us. We have rules we11 have to follow. Everybody that comes up before us and12 speaks about the application can talk as long as they we13 want. We give everybody a lot of time to get their14 information across because we do respect the taxpayer.15 But people that come up and ask other questions and make16 you think that this is part of the application is unfair17 to you. It is our job to make sure that the people of18 the township know exactly what's before the planning19 board and what we can do and what we can't do. So

is part of the application is unfair17 to you. It is our job to make sure that the people of18 the township know exactly what's before the planning19 board and what we can do and what we can't do. So when20 people come up and start talking about other things and21 we respectfully ask them to focus and they don't, that's22 when you are being harmed.23 THE PUBLIC: With all due respect, what I'm24 saying is that, I understand what you're saying, I25 163 understand what you're saying, sir. But we're not1 children. So there's a way that you speak to people,2 and you speak to us with respect. I understand what3 you're saying sir, but you have to speak to us with4 respect. We're grown adults. I understand what you're5 saying, but please speak to us here with respect.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Absolutely, sir. So when7 the Chair asks for someone to wait a moment and they8 keep talking over us, it is not respecting you.9 THE PUBLIC: I understand that. But there10 is a way you can get your message across.11 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I appreciate your comment12 and I apologize if you feel that I did not.13 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Afran.15 COUNCIL PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD: Before Mr.16 Afran, Mr. Chair, if I may.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Council President18 Rutherford.19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD: With regard20 to some of the comments that folks have with regard to21 the pedestrian safety and the bike lanes and the22 sidewalks, you're welcome to join us at a council23 meeting and raise it there and we can, and there's24 another council person in here tonight shaking their25 164 head, we can understand what goes on and, you know, get1 involved ourselves from that side.2 To Mr. Chairs point, this body is not going3 to be able to enforce any of that, that has been4 suggested tonight. But there are other body's that can.5 And if you can't make it to a council meeting you can6 certainly send us an e-mail.7 Thank you, Mr. Chair.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.9 Mr. Aran.10 Sir, go right ahead.11 THE PUBLIC: Nish Gajarawala, N-I-S-H,12 G-A-J-A-R-A-W-A-L-A.13 There's been a number of conversations14 tonight about the Oval Road width. I have two15 questions.16 First, on the roads that are in the plan17 itself, the schematic, who owns those going forward and18 who will be responsible for ongoing maintenance?19 THE WITNESS: The -- it is owned by the20 applicant and maintained by the

are in the plan17 itself, the schematic, who owns those going forward and18 who will be responsible for ongoing maintenance?19 THE WITNESS: The -- it is owned by the20 applicant and maintained by the management company.21 THE PUBLIC: For how long? Is there a22 duration.23 THE WITNESS: Forever.24 THE PUBLIC: Forever.25