219-25 Resolution Authorizing Mediation Per the Mediation Order Entered by Judge Cecchi - 2025.pdf

219-25 October 16, 2025 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) is currently defending a lawsuit challenging the Township’s 2020 removal of a Christopher Columbus monument from the intersection at Valley Road, Quimbey Place and Kingsley Street in a matter captioned Italian American One Voice Coalition v. Township of West Orange and Mayor Robert D. Parisi, Civil Case No.: 20-cv-12650 (CCC) (LDW) (the “Litigation”); and WHEREAS, the Complaints filed in the Litigation have been twice dismissed by the Court; and WHEREAS, the plaintiff filed a Third Amended Complaint in the Litigation and the Township again 2023 filed a Motion to Dismiss the Third Amended Complaint (the “Motion”); and WHEREAS, on September 24, 2025, the Honorable Claire C. Cecchi, United States District Court Judge of the District Court of New Jersey entered a mediation order compelling the parties in the Litigation to participate in mediation (the “Mediation Order”), annexed hereto as Exhibit “A;” and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Mediation Order, the Litigation has been assigned to Sheryl M. Goski, Esq. with offices at 414 Washington Boulevard, Sea Girt, NJ 08750 (the “Mediator”); and WHEREAS, the Mediator’s hourly rate is set at $400 per hour pursuant to Local Civil Rule 301.1 for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey for which the Township will be responsible for half of the Mediator’s rate. NOW, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, that the Township be and is hereby authorized to comply

2 with the mandates of the Mediation Order and participate in the mediation assigned to the Mediator; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Township is authorized to pay its share of the Mediator’s rate consistent with the Mediation Order and the Local Civil Rule 301.1 for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; and be it further RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be made available in the Township Clerk’s Office for reasonable inspection in accordance with applicable law. Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C. Joe Krakoviak Township Clerk Council President Adopted: October 16, 2025 I hereby certify funds are available from Account No.: John Ditinyak, CFO