242-25 Resolution Approving Settlement.pdf

TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE ESSEX COUNTY, NJ RESOLUTION 242-25 APPROVING VARIOUS SETTLEMENT, EMPLOYMENT, AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WHEREAS, on April 17, 2023, Mayor McCartney instituted litigation against the Township Council related to her executive authority versus the Council’s legislative authority under the Faulkner Act, N.J.S.A. 40:69A-1, et seq. under Docket No. ESX-L-4687-23; and WHEREAS, the Hon. Annette Scoca, J.S.C., granted Mayor McCartney’s Order to Show Cause pending a final decision in the case; and WHEREAS, the Township Council subsequently filed a Third-Party Complaint against Township Attorney Richard D. Trenk, Esq., and Trenk Isabel Siddiqi & Shahdanian P.C.; and WHEREAS, the parties to the litigation have engaged in settlement negotiations; and WHEREAS, as a result of those settlement negotiations, all controversies between the parties have been tentatively resolved, subject to the approval of the following settlement agreement and various employment and professional services agreements by the Township Council; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Township Council are of the opinion that the settlement is in the best interests of the Township. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Governing Body of the Township of West Orange, for the reasons set forth above, that: 1. The Settlement Agreement enclosed as Exhibit A is hereby approved. 2. Mayor McCartney nominates Mark Semararo, Esq., of Semeraro & Fahrney, LLC, as Township Attorney, and the Council approves that appointment. The Professional Services Agreement enclosed as Exhibit B, which authorizes the retention of Semeraro & Fahrney, LLC, as Township Attorney, is hereby approved. 3. Mayor McCartney nominates Gregg F. Paster, Esq., of Gregg F. Paster & Associates, LLC, as Assistant Township Attorney, and the Council approves that appointment. The Professional Services Agreement enclosed as Exhibit C, which authorizes the retention of Gregg F. Paster & Associates, LLC, as Assistant Township Attorney, is hereby approved. 4. Mayor McCartney nominates Everett Johnson, Esq., of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., as Redevelopment Counsel, and the Council approves that appointment. The Professional Services Agreement enclosed as Exhibit D, which authorizes the retention of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., as Redevelopment Counsel, is hereby approved.