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Township Targets neighborhood trees for removal
If you see markings like these on WO trees...
Our Township Forester eludes to the township not having enough money to trim, prune, and save our town's giant residents. Instead, the township is resorting to completely removing these trees. Some may pose a danger because of dead limbs, while others may be lifting sidewalks, growing amongst power lines, or disturbing street curbs. There are many ways to resolve these issues that do not include total destruction of our canopies and historic trees. If the tree is not viable, then by all means it should be removed.
Neighborhoods in West Orange are Losing Trees
Touring West Orange streets, marking on dozens of trees can be seen. These two trees are on the Township's destruction list. (Which will be made available here on this site ASAP.) The tree on the left is indeed not viable, and should be removed. The tree on the right is healthy, thriving, and adds value to the properties on the street. [Location is across from West Orange High School, on Greenwood Avenue.]
Visiting the Trees Helps Understand the Loss
An OGWO member and town resident visits neighborhood trees marked for removal. OGWO knocked on doors, informing residents of the trees marked for removal on their street. Residents should contact the township forester to express their concern, and urge the township to save these trees. Contact John Linson, Forester@WestOrange.org, or call 973-325-4015. We have the budget to cut these trees, we must have the budget to prune and save them!
Preserve this 1864 Holly Hudson Designed Structure
Our Green West Orange members have been working to protect and preserve one of West Orange's most impressive historical structures: The Hecker Carriage House. (If the name Hecker sounds familiar, it's because you may recognize it from shopping the baking aisle: Hecker Flour is still sold today!)
Read American Institute of Architects NJ's press release below, complete with a short historical overview.
Contact your elected Town Council members, and Mayor Parisi to protect and designate this historic landmark: Council@WestOrange.org, SQuirk@WestOrange.org
Read the April 2021 Jersey Digs article HERE about the uphill battle residents are having in saving this historic house.
As If Two Rockslides Aren't Bad Enough...
On 20, 2021, the majority West Orange Zoning Board voted to approve CubeSmart's application to build a storage facility along Pleasant Valley Way. The proposed storage facility poses a grave danger to the neighborhood because it requires the excavation of a high-gradient slope, directly beneath Roosevelt Ave. The township’s zoning ordinance states: “disturbance of slopes 25% or more is prohibited.” This ordinance was put in place to prevent erosion and reduce the risk of dangerous landslides.
Under Municipal Land Use Law, the applicant for this project had to prove that this project will not be a detriment to the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. View West Orange's Steep Slope/Land Use Regulations HERE. The applicant convinced al but two zoning board members that building this commercial structure in a residential neighborhood is a beneficial use for the site. This project will endanger the homes above it, as well negatively impact the property values of the surrounding homes. No tax ratable is worth it.
PAST Advocacy & Community PROJECTS from OGWO
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
OGWO responded to a home on Woodland Ave., Friday, May 10, 2019 to document and question why 11 healthy trees were being cut. There were no tree removal permits issued.
150 FREE Trees Handed Out
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
OGWO and an enviro-passionate Roosevelt Middle student handed out and planted 150 trees for free to West Orange seniors & interested residents.
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
West Orange residents continue to advocate for a sustainable, green, & safe Essex Green Shopping Center, despite the majority Township Council and administration siding with the wealthy developer, Clarion Partners, LLP. Up next Executive Drive.
WO Library Blighted?
Rock Spring Country Club
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
The township of West Orange yet again designates a town property as "blighted," essentially handing another wealthy developer potential BIG tax abatements for residents to pay. The WO Public Library is the latest blighted area.
Rock Spring Country Club
Rock Spring Country Club
Rock Spring Country Club
West Orange residents are the new owners of Rock Spring Country Club, located at 90 Rock Spring Rd. 138-acres for $12 million. Help fellow residents keep their eye on how well the Mayor follows through with his "gentleman's agreement" that the property will not be developed more than the 15-acres he has promised.
If everyone donated just $5, we could hire experts to ensure development in West Orange is green and sustainable for years to come.