65-25 Resolution Approving New Township Attorney - Friend Wenzel.pdf

65-25 January 28, 2025 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Township of West Orange is a Faulkner Act Mayor-Council form of government with a Law Department established by Ordinance, the Director of which is the Township Attorney; and WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:69A-43 and Township Ordinance Section 2-9.1 the Mayor shall appoint a Township Attorney to serve during the term of office for the Mayor appointing the Township Attorney subject to the Council’s advice and consent; and WHEREAS, on or about November 12, 2024, the Township advertised a request for proposal for the position of Township Attorney and Assistant Township Attorney; and WHEREAS, on December 3, 2024, the Township received various responses which included resumes; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and senior administration officials interviewed the candidates for the position of Township Attorney; and WHEREAS, on December 31, 2024, the Mayor submitted three (3) names to the Township Council for consideration for approval as Township Attorney; and WHEREAS, on January 6, 2025, Township Attorney Richard D. Trenk, Esq. of Trenk Isabel Siddiqi & Shahdanian P.C. submitted his retirement subject to the appointment of a new Township Attorney and a reasonable transition in the best interests of the Township; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and senior administration have offered to coordinate and organize interviews of the Mayor’s three (3) recommendations for the position of Township Attorney; and WHEREAS, the Mayor submits Joseph M. Wenzel, Esq. of Friend & Wenzel to serve as the new Township Attorney based upon his substantial experience and knowledge of municipal

law; NOW, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, that the Mayor’s appointment of Joseph M. Wenzel, Esq. of Friend & Wenzel as the new Township Attorney be and is hereby approved in accordance with the Township Council’s advice and consent role. RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be made available in the Clerk’s office in accordance with applicable law. Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C. Joe Krakoviak, Municipal Clerk Council President Adopted: January 28, 2025 I hereby certify funds are available from Account No.: 01-2010-00-7101-200 John C. Ditinyak, Chief Financial Officer