Special Meeting — Packet

1. Public Meeting Agenda Documents: PM 03.19.26 SPECIAL MEETING (1).PDF 2. Resolution(S) 2.I. 100-26 Documents: 100-26 EXECUTIVE SESSION.PDF 2.II. 101-26 Documents: 101-26 RESOLUTION APPOINTING HEYER GRUEL AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANNER.PDF 101-26 AGREEMENT WITH HEYER GRUEL (AFFORDABLE HOUSING).PDF 2.III. 102-26 Documents: 102-26 RESOLUTION APPOINTING HEYER GRUEL FOR MUNICIPAL PLANNING SERVICES.PDF 102-26 AGREEMENT WITH HEYER GRUEL (MUNICIPAL PLANNING).PDF

PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA Township of West Orange Council Chambers - 66 Main Street – 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2026-Meeting No. 7 This is to inform the general public that this meeting is being held in compliance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Public Law 1975. The notice for this meeting was emailed to the West Orange Chronicle and the Star Ledger on March 13, 2026 Statement of Decorum In all matters not provided for in subsection 3-15.1 and except upon consent of the Council President, each person addressing the Council pursuant to this subsection shall be required to limit his or her remarks to five (5) minutes and shall at no time engage in any personally offensive or abusive remarks. The chair shall call any speaker to order who violates any provision of this rule. (1972 Code § 3-15.2) Roll Call – Councilwoman Casalino, Councilman Krakoviak, Councilwoman Rudin, Councilwoman Williams, Council President Scarpa Pledge of Allegiance 1. Public Comment 2. *Resolutions a. 100-26 Resolution Authorizing an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters falling within the attorney-client privilege, to the extent that confidentiality is required in order for the attorney to exercise his ethical duties to this body; and for the discussion of matters which, by express provision of federal law, state statute, or rule of court, are required to be rendered confidential, specifically including: Personnel; Contract Negotiations-Affordable Housing Planner; Redevelopment; Attorney/Client Communications-Litigation Update; Attorney/Client Communications-Ethical Duties; Attorney/Client Communications-Separation of Powers (Semeraro) v) 101-26 Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Heyer, Gruel & Associates of 236 Broad Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701, for Municipal Affordable Housing Planner; in an Amount NTE $85,000.00 (Ditinyak) v) 102-26 Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Heyer, Gruel & Associates, 236 Broad Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701, for Municipal Planning Services at an Amount NTE $85,000. (Ditinyak) 3. Adjournment The Council President may at his/her discretion modify with consent the order of business at any meeting of the Council if he/she deems it necessary and appropriate. (1972 Code § 3-8; Ord. No. 726-84; Ord. No. 1157-93; Ord. No.

t his/her discretion modify with consent the order of business at any meeting of the Council if he/she deems it necessary and appropriate. (1972 Code § 3-8; Ord. No. 726-84; Ord. No. 1157-93; Ord. No. 2128-07 § II)

Please click the link below to join the webinar: ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89329586606?pwd=LaTZPdVyCqitaTsMhTmrF1TgXUoMJm.1 Webinar ID: 893 2958 6606 Passcode: 721620 Dial in: 646 931 3860 Public Comment – In Person Only Next Meeting Date(s): Tuesday, March 24, 2026 The agenda is subject to change.

100-26 March 19, 2026 RESOLUTION TO HOLD A CLOSED SESSION WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4. et seq.) provides for the exclusion of the public meetings of the governing body during the discussion of certain matters; and WHEREAS, prior to the exclusion of the public from a meeting of the Township Council it is required that the Council adopt a Resolution stating the general nature of the subject to be discussed and stating as precisely as possible the time when the minutes of the discussion conducted in closed session can be disclosed to the public; and WHEREAS, this body is about to consider a matter which falls within the purview of N.J.S.A. 10-4-12, and can properly exclude the public from such discussions; now, therefore, be it BE IT RESOLVED, that the Township Council of the Township of West Orange, now assembled in public session at its regular meeting of March 19, 2026 enter into a closed session to consider the following matter(s). () 1. Discussion of any material, the disclosure of which constitutes an invasion of individual privacy. () 2. A collective bargaining agreement or the terms of provisions of same. () 3. Techniques or tactic utilized to protect the safety and property of the public provided that their disclosure could impair such protection. (X) 4. An investigation of violations or possible violations of the laws of the State of New Jersey and/or the Township of West Orange Administrative Code. (X) 5. Pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation in which this body is or maybe a party. (X) 6. A matter falling within the attorney-client privilege to the extent that confidentiality is required in order for the attorney to exercise his ethical duties to this body. (X) 7. Personnel matters. () 8. Discussion of any matter which by express provision of Federal law or State statute or rule of Court shall be rendered confidential. () 9. Discussion of any matter in which the release of information would impair a right to receive funds from the Government of the United Sates. () 10. Discussion of any matter involving the purchase, lease or acquisition of real property with public funds, the setting of banking rates or investment of public funds, where it could adversely affect the public interest if discussion of such matters were disclosed.

() 11. Deliberations occurring after a public hearing that may result in imposition of a civil penalty or suspension or loss of a license or permit. More specifically, the Council may discuss in closed session the following topic(s): Personnel; Contract Negotiations-Affordable Housing Planner; Redevelopment; Attorney/Client Communications-Litigation Update; Attorney/Client CommunicationsEthical Duties; Attorney/Client Communications-Separation of Powers (the general subject matter(s) of discussion shall be indicated by a check mark in the appropriate box and shall be more specifically referred to thereafter to the extent such additional disclosure can be made without compromising the need for confidentiality giving rise to the closed session. IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the minutes of said discussion shall be made public as soon as the matter under discussion is no longer of a confidential or sensitive nature such that the public interest will no longer be served by such confidentiality. The foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the Township Council of the Township of West Orange at a public meeting held on March 19, 2026. Motion: Second: Vote Aye: Opposed: Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C. Municipal Clerk Adopted: March 19, 2026 Susan Scarpa Council President

101-26 March 19, 2026 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Township Council of the Township of West Orange has determined that there exists a need to provide the following professional services for the Township: ___Municipal Affordable Housing Planner; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the New Jersey Local Unit “Pay to Play Law, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq., the Township has sought said qualified professional services through the use of a “fair and open process,” as defined in N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.7; and WHEREAS, the Professional Services are exempt from the requirements of public bidding pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law, more specifically, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(1)(a)(i); and WHEREAS, as required by this law, the Township provided sufficient notice of its Request for Proposals/Qualifications; publicly solicited RFPs through the utilization of the Township’s official Web site; established an award and disclosure process documented in writing prior to soliciting any RFPQs; publicly opened all proposals; and publicly will award the Contract via this Resolution of the Township Council; and WHEREAS, the Township has determined that retaining __Heyer, Gruel & Associates of 236 Broad Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 _ will be the most advantageous to the Township, all relevant factors considered; and, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of West Orange in the County of Essex, State of New Jersey that _ Heyer, Gruel & Associates of 236 Broad Street Red Bank, New Jersey 07701_ be and is hereby approved for this professional service for a term expiring on December 31, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Township Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the Township, which shall be available for public inspection in the office of the Township Clerk; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Business Disclosure Entity Certification and the Determination of Value Certification be placed on file with this resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that compensation for services rendered shall be claimed, approved and paid in the manner set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:5-16 and pursuant to a professional service agreement to be entered between the parties; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the maximum dollar amount of this contract is reasonably estimated to be $85,000.00 over the contract term; however, the Township is not

entered between the parties; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the maximum dollar amount of this contract is reasonably estimated to be $85,000.00 over the contract term; however, the Township is not obligated to spend this amount and if exceeded, can be funded by additional encumbrances; and, 1

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Clerk shall cause a notice of the adoption of this resolution be posted to the Township website at www.westorange.org, “Current Legal Notices”, “Resolution Notices,” within ten (10) days after passage hereof. I, Karen J. Carnevale, Township Clerk for the Township of West Orange, County of Essex, State of New Jersey, do hereby certify this is a true and correct copy of the resolution adopted by the Township Council at its Regular Meeting held on March 19, 2026. Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C., Municipal Clerk Susan Scarpa, Council President Adopted: March 19, 2026 I certify funds are available from Account No(s): *Acct # 01-2010-00-3002-070 *Amount Not to Exceed - $85,000.00 John C. Ditinyak, Chief Financial Officer Subject to the approval of the 2026 Budget. 2

101-26 AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, made this 19th day of March, 2026 BETWEEN: Township of West Orange 66 Main Street West Orange, NJ 07052 Hereinafter referred to as the "Township” AND: Heyer, Gruel & Associates 236 Broad Street Red Bank, NJ 07701 Hereinafter referred to as the "Professional”. W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, the Township recognizes the need for the services of a Municipal Affordable Housing Planner; and WHEREAS, in that connection Heyer, Gruel & Associates is qualified to provide said services; and WHEREAS, the Township desires to engage Heyer, Gruel & Associates to serve as an “Independent Contractor” to provide professional services that may be designated by the Township as a fair and open contract pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms, conditions and stipulations hereinafter set forth, it is mutually agreed by and between the parties: 1. WORK TO BE PERFORMED The professional shall perform any and all planning services necessary to provide guidance to the Township to assist in the negotiation and/or resolution of builders’ remedy lawsuits and challenges to the affordable housing plan. The professional shall draft and facilitate the adoption of the HEFSP and all related policies, programs, resolutions and ordinances related thereto. The professional shall provide any and all related services, including but not limited to, 1