Council gives green light to Operation HOPE

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Township Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a new program at its June 14 meeting to allow heroin and opioid addicts to request help from the West Orange Police Department without fear of arrest. Operation HOPE — Heroin Opiate Prevention Effort — gives an addict who voluntarily asks […]

WO plans to expand jitney service to cover more of town

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange intends to expand its commuter jitney service to cover the Redwood and Pleasantdale sections of town in early 2017, according to Mayor Robert Parisi. Parisi said the township is committed to adding a sixth route that incorporates Pleasant Valley Way and Eagle Rock Avenue so that the surrounding areas […]

West Orange police debut Operation Hope, seek volunteers

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Police Department hopes to roll out a program this fall that places heroin and opiate users into drug treatment instead of jail. Members of the Township Council will vote Tuesday, June 14, on whether to approve Operation HOPE — Heroin – Opiate Prevention Effort — an affiliation between […]

Planning Board votes yes, 6-3, on Gregory improvements

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Planning Board approved the final plan for the proposed bus driveway and expanded parking lot at Gregory Elementary School during a courtesy review at the board’s June 1 meeting. The board voted 6-3 to pass the plan, with members Jerry Eben, Gerald Gurland and Gary Wegner deciding against […]

Topic of Gregory School improvements remains heated

Topic of Gregory School improvements remains heated

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The final plan for the proposed bus driveway and expanded parking lot at Gregory Elementary School was presented to a decidedly split audience of residents, educators and township officials assembled in the school’s cafeteria, with one half of the room praising the design for its potential to keep children safe and […]

Residents to pay less in taxes despite deficit

West Orange’s financial straits managed with strategic cuts, prioritizing and an eye on the future

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Township Council approved the $78,593,900.14 municipal budget for 2016 during its May 24 meeting by a vote of 4-1, with Councilman Joe Krakoviak being the sole vote against it. The budget increases the municipal tax levy to $51,933,857.13, which is $989,797.01 more than last year’s municipal levy of […]

Township Council splits vote to approve towing licenses

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Township Council approved a resolution during its May 24 meeting that awards three-year town licenses to two of the three towing companies that applied for them; the third company made no secret of its objection to the reason and process by which its license application was denied. The […]

Township Council cheers on cheerleaders

Township Council cheers on cheerleaders

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange High School cheerleading team was recognized at the May 3 Township Council meeting for its 2016 season, during which it performed at every football game and basketball and wrestling match on top of earning seven first-place finishes in numerous competitions. These wins included a first-place finish in the […]

Guarino pushes anti-smoking legislation through council

Guarino pushes anti-smoking legislation through council

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Township Council approved two ordinances on second and final reading during its April 19 meeting: one increasing the legal age for purchasing tobacco products in town to 21, and one requiring vendors who sell e-cigarettes to be licensed by the township. Both ordinances were passed by 4-1 votes, […]

Keeping children drug-free

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Township Council President Victor Cirilo presents Jaclyn Tyson of ADAPT — the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team — with a proclamation for Family Meal Week, which encourages families to have meals together to talk about drug and alcohol abuse, during the council meeting on April 19.