189-25 Resolution Approving Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Board Attorney Professional Services Contract.pdf

TRENK ISABEL 290 West Mount Pk It A\ SIDDI & Court Plaza South, West Wit x Mout Pata ve OI ut az Sot Vt ng 3a SHAHDANIAN P.-C. ‘ion Sve Soe Livingston, NJ 07039 al Hackensack, NJ 07601 P: 973.533.1000 F: 973,533,111 | tisslaw.com Richard D. Trenk, Esq. rtrenk@tisslaw.com Direct No. (973) 533-1040 Reply to Livingston office July 29, 2025 VIA E-MAIL Council President Joe Krakoviak All Township Council Members c/o Karen Carnevale, Municipal Clerk Township of West Orange 66 Main Street West Orange, NJ 07052 Re: _ Resolutions Approving Zoning Board Of Adjustment and Planning Board Attorney Professional Services Contracts Dear Council President Krakoviak and All Council Members: As you are aware, the Administration has now presented to the Council for its approval on at least three (3) different occasions resolutions and contracts ratifying and approving the determination by the autonomous land use bodies concerning Planning Board Attomey Powell- McGovern and Zoning Board Attorney Steve Warner. Both of these professionals have continued to work with diligence and integrity consistent with the Rules of Professional Conduct. Despite the Administration’s efforts to present these professional service contracts in a timely manner and despite the fact that no member of the Township Council has ever provided a substantive reason to disapprove or delay the approval, these contracts remain extant. As you are aware, these professionals are statutorily required by the MLUL. Both of these professionals continue to provide essential services to the autonomous land use boards. The only feedback I got after the July 21, 2025 Council meeting was that there was a discrepancy in the Resolution as to the hourly rate. As you are aware, that discrepancy could have been easily remedied by adopting the Resolutions and directing that the revision be made. Instead, in a further delaying effort, the Council tabled both Resolutions. This Resolution will be placed on the August 12, 2025 Agenda. If you have any questions or further concerns, you are requested to provide that information in writing no later than August 4, 2025. Otherwise, the Resolutions awarding the Land Use Professional Service