EX DD 21 121923 RC email to town clarifying issues raised by Kessler

1 of 3 Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 17:02:16 Eastern Standard TimeTuesday, January 9, 2024 at 17:02:16 Eastern Standard Time Subject:Subject: Clarifications Regarding Complaints from Andy and Jane Kessler re 40 Eagle Ridge Way Date:Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3:42:46 PM Eastern Standard Time From:From: Richard Cohn <rcohn@merchantshospitality.com> To:To: smccartney@westorange.org <smccartney@westorange.org>, tbiondi@westorange.org <tbiondi@westorange.org>, West Orange Township - Zoning OVicial <ZoningOVicial@westorange.org>, psmeraldo@westorange.org <psmeraldo@westorange.org>, zcarballo@westorange.org <zcarballo@westorange.org>, forester@westorange.org <forester@westorange.org>, Shamar Vernon <shamar@hepscd.org> Dear Honorable Mayor McCartney, Mr. Thomas Biondi, Ms. Geniece Gary-Adams, Mr. Peter Smeraldo, Jr., Ms. Zayibeth Carballo, Mr. Shamar Vernon, Mr. Walt Kipp: I am wriGng in response to the complaints of my neighbors Andy and Jane Kessler who live to the east of us at 29 Mountain Avenue. I was unaware of these complaints unGl the recent receipt of the OPRA response from the Town, revealing that Mr. Kessler's concerns date back to September of 2021. My wife Monica, and our sons, Gavin, Jordan and Trey, have lived in West Orange since 1997, demonstraGng our commitment to the community. Our decision to move to 40 Eagle Ridge Way last May was fueled by our strong affinity for West Orange. Our son, Jordan, who is classified on the auGsGc spectrum, was honored by the town for receiving a gold medal in Alpine Skiing at the 2020 Special Olympics. We share a deep love for both skiing and swimming, the laYer being a crucial recreaGonal acGvity for Jordan's well-being. We embarked on a project to install an inground pool, engaging Grabowski ConstrucGon, a reputable West Orange-based excavator frequently uGlized by the Town. We take issue with Andy Kessler's unsubstanGated asserGons in his September, 2021 emails to former Mayor Parisi, Ryan Schinman and Ms. Adams. To address any potenGal concerns regarding drainage, on our own iniGaGve, we retained Matarazzo Engineering to design a drywell drainage system, with ten (10) retenGon tanks, adhering to strict storm calculaGons. This plan was submiYed to the town on March 2, 2023, thereaaer approved, and the extensive drywell system was installed at considerable expense. As set forth in the

hering to strict storm calculaGons. This plan was submiYed to the town on March 2, 2023, thereaaer approved, and the extensive drywell system was installed at considerable expense. As set forth in the engineering calculaGons, our improvements have significantly reduced water flow, not increased it.