112-24 Resolution Directing Termination of Pending Litigation_Final (Rev).pdf

112-24 March 26, 2024 RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TERMINATION OF PENDING LITIGATION WHEREAS, on January 10, 2023, the Township Council approved the Mayor’s appointment of Richard D. Trenk, Esq. as Director of the Department of Law and Township Attorney by a vote of five (5) to zero (0); and WHEREAS, on June 13, 2023, the Township Council adopted Resolution No. 232-23 seeking to remove or require that Mr. Trenk not approve the delegation of legal work to his law firm by a vote of three (3) to two (2) and not pay for certain legal services; and WHEREAS, on July 24, 2023, the Mayor commenced an action before the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Essex County, captioned In re Township of West Orange, Docket No. ESX-L-004687-23 (“Litigation”); and WHEREAS, on July 25, 2023, the Court entered a temporary restraining order maintaining the status quo and scheduling the matter for briefing and a hearing on the preliminary injunction; and WHEREAS, the Honorable Jose Linares, Chief United States District Court Judge (Ret.), conducted a mediation session with the Mayor, Administration, and all members of the Township Council at no cost, which was unsuccessful; and WHEREAS, the Township Council by a vote of three (3) to two (2) determined to retain Angelo J. Genova, Esq. of Genova Burns LLC with a cap of $17,500; and WHEREAS, the Mayor retained Scott D. Salmon, Esq. of Jardim, Meisner, Salmon, Sprague & Susser, P.C. with a cap of $17,500; and WHEREAS, the Genova Burns LLC exceeded the cap and the Township Council has subsequently retroactively approved various additional payments to Genova Burns LLC