33-18 Exhibit for Residential Tax Appeals - 2018.pdf

Exhibit “A”

AGREEMENT FOR NON-COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TAX APPEAL SERVICES THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into on this __ day of January, 2018 by and between the TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, a municipal corporation of the State of New Jersey, located at Town Hail, 66 Main Street, West Orange, County of Essex and State of New Jersey, hereinafter called the “TOWNSHIP”, party of the first part, and EDWIN MATTHEWS, ESQ. of BOURNE NOLL & KENYON (“Bourne Noll & Kenyon’), Attorneys at Law of the State of New Jersey, located at 382 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, hereinafter referred to as “COUNSEL”, party of the second part. WITNESSETH THAT: WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Township has determined that it is in the best interests of the Township to retain the services of Special Counsel to represent the Township in connection with non-commercial real estate tax appeals on a flat fee basis; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. The Township hereby retains the services of Bourne Noll & Kenyon, as Special Counsel to assist the Township in connection with non-commercial real estate tax appeals for the period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 at a flat rate of $3,250 per month. 2. COUNSEL will not seek reimbursement for its routine costs and expenses such as postage, copying, mileage, meals, parking, or delivery of documents. 3. COUNSEL may seek reimbursement for extraordinary expenses such as filing fees, the cost of deposing adverse witnesses, transcripts or hiring experts. Counsel will not incur any such expenses without the approval of the Township Attorney. 4, COUNSEL'S responsibilities shall include all pre-trial preparation, discovery and trial, to the extent necessary, for all non-commercial real estate tax appeals pending or

commenced in the Tax Court of New Jersey against the Township and preparation and appearance for matters pending or commenced at the Essex County Board of Taxation. 5. COUNSEL shall coordinate all efforts with the Tax Assessor and keep the Tax Assessor and Township Attorney fully apprised conceming all matters. 6. COUNSEL recognizes that any and all approval for engagement of services must come from the Governing Body of the Township, and that no services, work or any efforts relative to the contract shall be commenced until the Governing Body passes a duly authorized Resolution accompanied by a Certificate of Funds. 7. COUNSEL is hereby placed on notice that the Billing Guidelines of the Township shail apply to this agreement for professional services. COUNSEL is further noticed that no Department Head, individual member of the Governing Body, or any agent, servant or employee of the Township possesses any lawful authority to: (a) engage the rendition of services or the performance of work; (b) authorize the continuation of services or work beyond the amount specifically approved in the Resolution and Certificate of Funds; or to (c) represent that future funds will be available as compensation for current services. Any such acts shall be deemed ultra vires and beyond the scope of any authority that individual may possess. No bills, statement or vouchers for any amount exceeding that originally approved will be honored or paid by the Township, irrespective of whether such services were actually performed. 8. During the term of this agreement, COUNSEL shall maintain professional liability malpractice insurance coverage with an insurance company licensed and authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey with coverage not less than $1,000,000. COUNSEL shall provide the Township Attorney and Municipal Clerk with proof of a valid certificate of insurance listing the TOWNSHIP as a certificate holder. To the extent that this insurance coverage is scheduled to lapse at any time before the end of the contract, COUNSEL shail provide proof of renewal or new insurance coverage no later than thirty (30) days before the termination of the current coverage.

9. The provisions of this agreement are subject to the limitations of provisions of the New Jersey Tort Claim Act, N.J.S.A. 59:2-1 et seq., and the New Jersey Contractual Liability Act, N.J.S.A. 59:13-1 et seq. 10. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to principles of conflict of laws. All contract claims under this agreement shall be subject to and governed by the provisions of the New Jersey Contractual Liability Act (N.J.S.A. 59:13-1 et seq. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE ATTEST: By: KAREN J. CARNEVALE, R.M.C ROBERT D. PARISI, MAYOR Dated: Dated: BOURNE NOLL & KENYON wyNess o,_ hr Ahn EDWIN R. MATTHEWS, ESQ. For the Firm Dated: 4 2/1 r Dated: afl 4830-8118-0504, v. 1