January 28, 2026, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 45 to 48 of 155 12 of 66 sheets 45 Um, hi, I'm here to question the return on1 investment in the towns confidence and the internal2 infrastructure to support this 496 unit housing3 development. I'm going to add to the fire conversation.4 It's no secret that we have hot summers5 here, high UV's, dry humidity. The forest environments,6 they keep the land cool, damp and shaded due to the old7 and large trees. The forest floors become less flambo8 and there's an ecological shift toward more shade9 tolerant to the femoral species in the area.10 I feel for the safety and the repercussions11 of what could happen when w eliminate part of that12 protection, ultimately increasing our communities13 vulnerability. The area itself is already dense and14 removing these ecological buffers only allows15 flammability to reach surrounding populations faster16 than ever before creating conditions for large17 unattainable fires and situations that can be prevented.18 We have also seen flooding increase in New19 Jersey. According to the New Jersey Scientific Report20 of 2020 it discusses that the size of stormwater21 management systems will need to be modified to minimize22 the risk to communities from increased flooding and23 reduce the risk of ecological impacts. Stormwater24 recharge will be a challenge in communities as flooding25 46 will likely increase over time requiring additional1 investment and infrastructure and other solutions.2 Discharge to surface water systems that combine3 stormwater and sewage into one collection system will be4 collected more frequently due to the increase in5 flooding. Increasing the load of minerals and6 pollutants entering the waterways. And so I question if7 the West Orange community and the neighboring towns are8 prepared for an increase in flooding, the business9 impacts, the spread of toxins and erosions that this10 will inhabit.11 I myself am 26, I'm starting to think about12 where I'm going to settle, build my future, and build my13 family. Traffic today was horrendous, it took me an14 hour to get here from Morristown, and there were two15 accidents while getting here. A 496 housing unit at an16 average two cars per household is going to add an17 additional thousand vehicles per day on the roads. And18 so I question if the communities are willing to endure19 more traffic and willing to risk vehicular safety

s per household is going to add an17 additional thousand vehicles per day on the roads. And18 so I question if the communities are willing to endure19 more traffic and willing to risk vehicular safety at20 that expense.21 I know people who have moved out of West22 Orange because they fear that the school sizes are to23 big. The graduating class of 2025 was almost 530 kids.24 And so things like that, when I'm starting to think25 47 about where I want to settle, the deter me and the1 information about this housing unit honestly just2 steepens that wound even more.3 However, things like this Second Watch4 Mountain Range add desirability to the towns, they add5 enticement, the nature, the views, the peace, the6 diverse wild life are all enticing and peaceful for7 people who want to create families and create8 communities.9 Without the competitive advantage of these10 mountain ranges, West Orange is really at a disadvantage11 to other towns and neighborhoods. There is nothing that12 makes West Orange very different ND desirable compared13 to the other towns. Every town has the same businesses,14 the same restaurants, the same traffic, the same15 expenses, but there's only one Second Watchung Mountain16 Range and it's in this area.17 I also took a look at the West Orange18 website page and the front picture of the page is a19 picture of the New York skyline view. And while that's20 from the Eagle Rock Preservation, it's just interesting21 and ironic that the same lifestyle the town is22 advertising is the same one everyone here is willing to23 take time out of their day to make public comment on.24 New Jersey is rich in history, and it's rich25 48 in resources and environments. So I really urge you to1 think about the long-term effect this will have on New2 Jersey and the people who live here. So, thank you.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.4 Please come right up and state your name for5 the record.6 THE PUBLIC: Hello, Mayor McCartney and7 Chairman Bagoff and township members. My name is Mike8 McGlynn and my address is 55 Lapis Circle, West Orange.9 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to10 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the11 truth.12 THE PUBLIC: I do.13 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.14 THE PUBLIC: I moved to the Highlands in15 2020, or later in 2020, having been retired from the16 United States Air Force and some other jobs after that.17 I served as a

o.13 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.14 THE PUBLIC: I moved to the Highlands in15 2020, or later in 2020, having been retired from the16 United States Air Force and some other jobs after that.17 I served as a weather officer and my first active duty18 for eight years was in active duty Air Force and later19 in the Air Force Reserve and the New Jersey Air Guard,20 Air National Guard, as a weather officer and later as a21 weather flight commander in support of Puerto Ricans22 Infantry Brigade. I also worked in the IT field during23 that time. And afterwards --24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay. Sir, can you speak25

13 of 66 sheets Page 49 to 52 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 49 up, some people in the back can't hear you.1 THE PUBLIC: Oh, sure.2 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.3 THE PUBLIC: Well, okay.4 My education is, I have a bachelor's of5 science in engineering with a speciality in metrological6 sciences from Catholic University of America. Also a7 master of science in engineering management and I8 completed an Air Force program in meteorology at Texas9 A&M University a graduate school in meteorology, which10 is basically a master's without a thesis.11 I don't claim to be an expert in hydrology12 or flood management, but I observed the weather of13 course over the decades and I'll comment on this later.14 I do have a strong appreciation for the weather,15 environmental conservation and also wildlife16 conservation. I should note that in my previous home17 before moving to West Orange, I lived right next to18 forested area, which also had a brook. Like I live19 right next to Canoe Brook. But it was a town park. But20 anyway, I frequently commented that I sure hope they21 don't build apartments, that was back in that park and22 they didn't. So that's good. Fortunately they didn't.23 But now we have a concern that apartment buildings maybe24 replacing thousands of trees in our new neighborhood.25 50 Considering the fact big storms are happening more often1 with the climate change imagine the effect of removing2 6,000 trees uphill of an HOA development, as well as the3 affects on the surrounding streets and communities to4 the east and north.5 Okay. So I was just going to say a few6 things about runoff possible affect of trees. The7 capacity of 10,000 -- 6,000 trees consumed in a rain8 deluge. 6,000 trees can manage between 300,000 and9 900,000 gallons of water in a rain deluge. Individual10 tree capacity, one mature tree can store 100 gallons of11 water and a small tree can intercept 58 gallons in a12 moderate rain event. The total capacity of 6,000 trees13 is a, the lower estimate is 300,000 gallons a higher14 estimate of 900,000 gallons.15 Key factors and -- I'm down to one minute so16 I have to skip.17 Okay. Anyway, a deluge would produce much18 more runoff to the Canoe Brook and the other areas. I19 should point out that after a fairly big rainstorm a few20 years ago, a medium sized tree from the Canoe Brook21 actually fell and was leaning on our house and of

Canoe Brook and the other areas. I19 should point out that after a fairly big rainstorm a few20 years ago, a medium sized tree from the Canoe Brook21 actually fell and was leaning on our house and of course22 it was removed.23 Also I have concerns, as other people24 mentioned, about the traffic doubling or tripling.25 51 We're in a cul-de-sac with one way in, one way out and1 more than doubling the population of this cul-de-sac for2 the first responders, I'm wondering what does the fire3 department have to say about that.4 The location for new residents, somebody5 covered that topic.6 Safety for the neighbors. There's a7 possible danger to a, with a large building on that8 cliff near neighborhoods and towns and houses.9 Wildlife conservation is important. It10 should be respected, in my opinion. I've seen, for11 example, a young gray horned owl and many other much12 wildlife.13 Anyway, in summary, I urge the committee to14 consider rejecting the planned development. I wish you15 would pursue other options for affordable and a forest16 destroyed, it would be a shame that we don't leave it17 for our children and grand children.18 I thank you for your consideration and19 letting me make my comments.20 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.21 Come right up, sir. State your name for the22 record.23 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is Eliot24 Ruga, R-U-G-A. I'm the policy director for the New25 52 Jersey Highlands Coalition and the Highlands1 Physiographic province, which is west of the Watchung.2 MS. McGOVERN: Do you have a business3 address or an address?4 THE PUBLIC: 713 Main Street in Boonton.5 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to6 tell the truth the whole and nothing but the truth.7 THE PUBLIC: I do.8 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.9 THE PUBLIC: I'm going to touch on something10 that Professor Stark -- I'm going to speak about11 something that Professor Stark touched on and that is12 the soils and the importance of soils. You have a13 natural resource value here that's very little14 understood, probably not protected, but it's extremely15 important. Let me go back in time a little bit.16 There were about 600 mines in northern New17 Jersey, mostly in the highlands region and there were18 hundreds of furnaces and forges associated with them.19 And before they converted to anthracite in the mid 19th20 Century they were fueled by charcoal and each one of21 these furnaces

and there were18 hundreds of furnaces and forges associated with them.19 And before they converted to anthracite in the mid 19th20 Century they were fueled by charcoal and each one of21 these furnaces consumed between one and three square22 miles of timber as charcoal every year. So that by23 1850, 1860 there was barely a tree left standing in24 northern New Jersey, but that tree cutting was all done25

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 53 to 56 of 155 14 of 66 sheets 53 by hand, taken out by the pack animals, not with heavy1 equipment. The soils were undisturbed.2 Now, in the, the year 1900 report of the3 state geologist, there was a gentleman by the name of4 Cornelius Vermule who mapped all of the existing forests5 in northern New Jersey in the year 1899. So we know6 that if it was forested in 1899 and forested today these7 are lands, these are forests that were never disturbed8 by agriculture, which is what disturbs soils as well as9 development, etc. These soils have been developing10 since the underlying geology was formed. It's11 characteristic of many of the soils in the Highlands12 province in it's better forests. It's very rare outside13 of the Highlands and this is 300 acres of those soils.14 And what the latest research is telling us is that these15 soils are -- create, they sequester 13 billion tons of16 carbon every year and they account for 30 percent --17 they absorb 30 percent of our emissions. They are18 responsible for the greatest biodiversity aboveground19 and they also, that's where most of our rare plants are20 found today. They are also naturally resistant to21 evasive plants. These are the soils in this 300 acres22 and they're tremendously valuable to us and I wanted to23 point that out to you. Thank you.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.25 54 Please come up and state your name for the record, sir.1 MS. McGOVERN: Your name and address.2 THE PUBLIC: My name is Chief Mann. I am3 the chief of the Ramapough Lenape Nation. My address is4 21 Hemlock Ave, Andover, New Jersey. And I'll start5 again.6 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to7 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the8 truth.9 THE PUBLIC: Yeah, I promise to tell you the10 truth.11 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go right ahead.13 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.14 I'll skip speaking in my language, because15 it's a sacrifice for me to have to come here.16 Watchung Mountain, number two, number one,17 the ridges all the way up to the Ramapo Mountains have18 been the very thing that has protected us, Ramapough.19 For those of you who don't know who we are, we are state20 recognized in the State of New Jersey by law. We have21 relatives all the way out to Kansas, Wisconsin, Canada22 on three other reserves and across the river in23 Pennsylvania.24 On the land that's in

recognized in the State of New Jersey by law. We have21 relatives all the way out to Kansas, Wisconsin, Canada22 on three other reserves and across the river in23 Pennsylvania.24 On the land that's in question there is over25 55 100 ceremonial stone markers. There is three serpent1 walls, there is a directional tree. And what all of2 those things mean is that many, many years ago before3 first contact our ancestors are the ones that actually4 placed them there. They placed them in a prayerful way.5 They came to be protected not only by us and by our6 actions but even in the New Jersey's new state7 developmental and redevelopment plan we are named in8 there directly. We have the help of the Narraganset and9 Neo Nation, which is a federally recognized tribe, which10 we have had contact with for hundreds and hundreds of11 years. I wanted to enter this into evidence, as well as12 this that's on the side here, showing those things and13 showing actually the ownership and the way that the14 lands had transpired over the years.15 Governor Corzine's Executive Order 122, it16 still stands valid in the State of New Jersey, as well17 as the changes that we just saw with the state plan18 require the protection of these things that we call19 ceremonial stone landscapes and I'm sure that many of20 you have probably seen them.21 Ceremonial stone landscape is just as22 important as the Wailing Wall is and I, a Ramapough23 Indian, whose ancestors roamed upon this land before24 contact was to go there and do anything to deface that,25 56 what would happen to me. Right. And that's what we1 have here. We're sitting on the precipice of ruining2 forever the prayers of our ancestors have placed in a3 particular way. Whether it was to communicate from this4 mountain to the other mountain to the other mountain.5 If it was to communicate all the way over to what we6 call the Hudson River nowadays. It's imperative that7 this Planning Board, in my opinion, puts back in place8 any of those protections that you had that so far, in my9 understanding, that are not there, like completely10 removing all those trees. And as you heard before those11 trees are living and they communicate and I know that12 you all know about mycelium, right. And psilocybin. It13 is the same exact thing, right. So imagine me coming14 into your community and cutting down one of your15 relatives. Imagine the pain

ow that12 you all know about mycelium, right. And psilocybin. It13 is the same exact thing, right. So imagine me coming14 into your community and cutting down one of your15 relatives. Imagine the pain that you would feel. I'm16 running short on time, even though we don't have a word17 for it, but I just want to bring a couple things to18 mention and I want to read something, if I may have19 permission to do so.20 Back in the early 1900's the Ramapough21 people, the Ramapough Munsee people, were subjugated to22 what's become known as genocide or eugenics, right. And23 the Vineland Training School in New Jersey actually24 studied our people and came up with 18 different ways to25

15 of 66 sheets Page 57 to 60 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 57 deal with the unwanted people of the Ramapo Mountains.1 Number one way, right. By Margaret Sanger and all of2 these very wealthy people that still control the world3 today, the number one way was by a public lethal gas4 chamber in 1923. That is the same documents that were5 going to be utilized on the Ramapough people that found6 their way to Germany and we all know what has transpired7 after that. And if the Wilf family and anybody else to8 sit there and memorialize that pain, to remember the9 history of those people, the very least that this10 council and this Planning Board and all of the people in11 the State of New Jersey can do is to remember us.12 Remember the original people who are still here, who are13 within your community. I'm only here tonight because I14 am the chief of the Lenape Ramapough Nation and I'm15 required to speak on behalf of the 5,000 plus people.16 And I really wish that I had more time to speak to you17 and I'm sure that we'll make an effort to have that on18 our own. Thank you.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.20 Come right up. State your name for the21 record, please.22 THE PUBLIC: Thank you. Good evening23 everybody. My name is Jacqueline Hendy. I live at 624 Beverly Road.25 58 MS. McGOVERN: What's your last name, Hendy?1 THE PUBLIC: Hendy, H-E-N-D-Y.2 MS. McGOVERN: I'm sorry, I missed your3 address?4 THE PUBLIC: 6 Beverly Road.5 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to6 tell the truth the whole and nothing but the truth.7 THE PUBLIC: I do.8 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.9 THE PUBLIC: Actually, I just want to start,10 because I happened to glance down at my nails looking at11 my speech tonight and they're still tinted green in12 remembrance of my friend who died at, sorry, still13 fresh, 46 years old from rare aggressive cancer, the14 second friend who died from a rare aggressive cancer and15 I currently have a friend just a few years older than me16 battling a rare aggressive cancer. People are dying17 younger and of diseases that are not of their bodies,18 that are harder and harder to fight and they are wiping19 out mothers, fathers and people who still have a whole20 lot of life to live. I just thought I'd say that in21 remembrance of my friend.22 So we are here tonight because of choices23 not inevitability. We're here because as a town we have24 made choices about how