December 10, 2024

The Council President stated that this is the scheduled time for the public hearing and asked the Clerk to read the ordinance by title only. The Council President asked if there was anyone who wished to be heard. There was no one that wished to be heard and the public hearing on this Ordinance was closed. On motion made by Councilwoman Williams and seconded by Councilwoman Casalino, the above referenced ordinance was adopted. Councilwoman Casalino, Councilwoman Ghebremicael, Councilwoman Scarpa and Councilwoman Williams voting “Aye.” Council President Rutherford voting “Nay.” At 12:41 p.m., Councilwoman Ghebremicael stated that she wanted to change her vote, as did Councilwoman Scarpa to reflect a NO vote. Mr. Moon asked Councilwoman Ghebremicael if the basis of her vote was that she didn’t understand what she was voting on and she said “yes”. Mr. Moon said that was not a legitimate basis to invalidate a concluded vote by the Council. At this point Councilwoman Williams stated that the maker of the motion has to be the person that rescinds the motion, and she said she was not going to do that. Councilwoman Ghebremicael then made a motion to rescind the vote, and Councilwoman Scarpa seconded the motion to rescind. On further discussion, Councilwoman Casalino stated, based on her experience in the last 20 years on the Council and the Board of Education, that the person that makes the motion is the person that must rescind the motion. The Clerk stated that in order to rescind the vote, the maker of the motion(s) must rescind their motion(s) and that neither Councilwoman Casalino, nor Councilwoman Ghebremicael were going to do that. The Clerk said “it already passed, but my point is that you do this new motion, where does it stand the vote was already taken and passed, so if a second vote were to be taken, where does it stand, because if it’s not legal, then it still passed”. Based on all of the discussion and the opinion of the legal department, the original vote stands. At this time, Councilwoman Ghebremicael stated that she wanted to vote NO on the above referenced. Ordinance. Councilwoman Scarpa then stated the same. Councilwoman Ghebremicael stated that “if the Comptroller comes to us, and audits or investigates us, that I will not be at fault for this. That’s what ’'m claiming, putting out there.” Councilwoman Scarpa then said, “me too, I want to be

“if the Comptroller comes to us, and audits or investigates us, that I will not be at fault for this. That’s what ’'m claiming, putting out there.” Councilwoman Scarpa then said, “me too, I want to be on the record as a NO.” Councilwoman Ghebremicael further stated that she will send them the minutes and will be reaching out to them tomorrow to let them know what happened”. Ord. 2882-24 On motion made by Councilwoman Casalino and seconded by Councilwoman Williams, An Ordinance Creating A Reclassification And Salary Schedule Of Certain Township Of West Orange Employees Setting Forth Their Titles, Classification And Salary Ranges And Adopting A Salary Guide And Establishing The Employee's Status As A Township Employee And Under The Guidelines Of The New Jersey Department Of Personnel (Amendment to AFSCME Tier) was taken up on second and final reading. All members present voting “Aye.” The Council President stated that this is the scheduled time for the public hearing and asked the Clerk to read the ordinance by title only. The Council President asked if there was anyone who wished to be heard.