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

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 61 to 64 of 155 16 of 66 sheets 61 alternative plan that protects forested land while still1 meeting affordable housing obligations. Thank you all2 much. Appreciate it.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.4 State your name for the record, please.5 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is Ann6 Ricigliano. I live at 29 Bongart Drive in the Highlands7 condo development.8 MS. McGOVERN: And that's in West Orange?9 THE PUBLIC: Yes.10 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to11 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the12 truth.13 THE PUBLIC: I do.14 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.15 THE PUBLIC: Okay.16 I am here to voice my opposition to the17 proposed development of the Watchung Mountain Forest.18 I've been attending these Planning Board meetings for19 about a year and half now and I can only hope that the20 multitude of reasons why this development should not21 come to fruition has not fallen on deaf ears. I do not22 intend to repeat all the details, we've heard it over23 and over and over. I'll briefly mention a few of the24 more disturbing issues.25 62 The traffic volume has been utterly been1 glossed over. All I heard was how wonderful the roads2 and the sidewalks will be within the proposed3 development, but nothing at all about the dangers that4 all of this new traffic will bring to the residents of5 the Highlands. We've heard it over and over, but it's6 so real.7 I must ask, where are the West Orange police8 and fire departments in this discussion? I sort of9 don't understand how this can be discussed without them10 and we need their input. Why are they not weighing in?11 I want to know what the plan is when we're12 all trapped behind the so-called emergency exits. We13 all know that no one even knew how to open the gate into14 Essex Fells at the time of the golf course fire, we15 still don't know.16 I live downstream of the mountains, so every17 time it rains I look out my back window and watch a18 waterfall coming down the rocks and over the railroad19 ties straight towards the back of my house. The walls20 in my basement sometimes weep, so I can imagine what21 would happen if all the trees above us are removed.22 I and many other residents sent pictures to the23 DEP, apparently to no avail. Never heard a word back.24 The list goes on and on. Lack of proper plans25 63 for sewage removal connection, no plans for a water1 tower, calling

ts sent pictures to the23 DEP, apparently to no avail. Never heard a word back.24 The list goes on and on. Lack of proper plans25 63 for sewage removal connection, no plans for a water1 tower, calling Building D a four story building when it2 looked to me like it was six stories. Very little3 discussion about the distance from the mountain to any4 stores, amenities or public transportation. Lack of5 school space in the school system for the children that6 will be moving into the development. I think I was told7 that this is not the developers concern but it certainly8 has to be the Townships concern.9 This development is being proposed as if no10 one currently lives around it. Nothing in this area can11 be built in a vacuum. We are so congested in West12 Orange as it is, there's already so much new development13 everywhere. What you do on this mountain will decide14 the fate of the surrounding land forever. We will all15 have to answer to our surrounding communities.16 As for the Highland townhouses, our property17 values will plummet with the first shovel full of dirt.18 Our quiet way of life will be destroyed. I will not19 feel safe any longer worrying about what damage will20 come with blasting, and please note that these concerns21 have nothing to do with low income housing. I have to22 believe that the creators of the Mount Laurel directive23 did not intend for new developments to fly in the face24 of safety and common sense.25 64 Thank you for listening. Thank you to the1 Planning Board for your hours and hours of service.2 Please do the right thing.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.4 Please, state your name and address.5 THE PUBLIC: Ryleigh Cucclo.6 MS. McGOVERN: And your address?7 THE PUBLIC: 86 James Avenue, Cranford, New8 Jersey.9 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to10 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the11 truth.12 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is13 Ryleigh Cuccloo. I'm a senior at Cranford high school,14 where I'm enrolled in advanced place in environmental15 and engineering courses. I'm a member of Climate16 Revolution Network and I'm here today not only as a17 student or a young -- I'm sorry. Not only as a student18 or a New Jersey resident, but as a young woman who is19 worried for her planet and her community.20 I'm here to formally oppose the development21 of the Second Watchung Ridge which bears significant22 public safety

y resident, but as a young woman who is19 worried for her planet and her community.20 I'm here to formally oppose the development21 of the Second Watchung Ridge which bears significant22 public safety risks and promises of environmental harm.23 The second Watchung Ridge is described as one of the24 Essex County's last core old growth forests. It's a25