Proposed Legislation
A plain-language guide to what this ordinance does, why it matters, and what problem it solves for West Orange residents.
⚖️ This ordinance does not take power away from the Mayor. It ensures that before public money is committed, the Council — and by extension, the public — has a real opportunity to weigh in.
West Orange has a process problem — and residents are paying for it.
Under our current system, the Mayor negotiates deals, sets salaries, and commits the Township to contracts — and the Council only finds out when it's time to vote. By then, the deal is already done. Approve it, or face costly legal chaos. That is not oversight. That is a hostage situation.
This pattern has a real cost to residents who already face some of the highest property taxes in Essex County. This has already happened in West Orange — here are the examples on the public record:
Police Chief compensation: Total package approaching $300,000 — more than the police chiefs of New York City, Newark, and Jersey City. The Council saw the terms after they were agreed upon, and voted under implicit threat of legal liability.
Business Administrator raise: A $74,000-per-year increase — a 55% raise — negotiated and committed to without any Council input or vote.
Litigation-as-leverage: The Mayor sued the Township to force an appointment the Council rejected. The settlement terms included compensation commitments that were then presented to the Council for ratification — under the pressure of ongoing litigation.
Six concrete guardrails on executive power.
§3 · Contract Review Requirement
Before any contract worth more than $25,000 is finalized, the complete agreement and a certified cost analysis must be filed publicly. The Council has 21 days to review it before any funding vote.
Why it matters: Right now, contracts can be signed and the Council is handed the bill. This flips that.
§4 · Executive Compensation Transparency
Any salary change for a Township employee earning $100,000 or more requires a full cost analysis posted publicly 14 days before a Council vote. All senior salaries will be posted on the Township website annually.
Why it matters: A 55% raise for the Business Administrator happened with no Council vote. Under this ordinance, that cannot happen.
§5 · Council's Right to Independent Legal Counsel
Any two Council members can request independent legal counsel — a lawyer who works for the Council, not the Mayor — at Township expense. No vote can be scheduled until that counsel delivers a written opinion.
Why it matters: The tactic of "approve this or we'll get sued" depends on the Council not having its own legal advice. This removes that leverage.
§5A · Settlements Cannot Be Used to Set Salaries
If a lawsuit settlement includes compensation terms for any Township employee, those terms must go through the same transparency and Council approval process as any other pay change.
Why it matters: Compensation obligations have been slipped into settlement agreements and presented under litigation pressure. This closes that loophole.
§5B · Mayor Cannot Sue the Township Without Council Authorization
If the Mayor wants to initiate litigation against the Township, the Council must authorize the funding. Before any vote, the Mayor must provide the legal basis, estimated costs, and a summary of alternatives.
Why it matters: The Mayor previously sued the Township to force an outcome the Council rejected — then used the settlement to impose financial obligations. This provision means the Council controls the checkbook first.
§6 · Reporting and Accountability Rights
Any Council member may request a written report from the Mayor on any contract, compensation decision, or litigation matter — and the Mayor must respond within 14 days. The Council may require the Mayor to appear before them to answer questions from both the Council and the public.
Why it matters: Oversight requires information. This codifies the Council's right to get it — and the public's right to see it.
~$300K
Police chief total compensation — more than NYC, Newark & Jersey City chiefs combined
55%
Business Administrator raise — $74,000/year — with zero Council input
21 days
Minimum public review before any major contract can be funded
~$25K
Threshold above which all contracts require Council review and fiscal analysis
Does this take power away from the Mayor?
No. The Mayor retains full authority to negotiate contracts, set personnel priorities, and run the executive branch. What this ordinance changes is the process for funding those decisions.
Will this slow down routine township business?
It will add a review period for major contracts and senior compensation changes — which is the point. Day-to-day operations are not affected. The Council can also waive the review period by majority vote in a genuine emergency.
What happens if the Mayor ignores the ordinance?
The Council simply will not appropriate the funds. Any Township resident can also petition the Superior Court for enforcement.
How does this become law?
It must be introduced and pass two readings at Council meetings, with a public hearing. West Orange residents also have the right to introduce ordinances directly through a citizen petition signed by 10% of registered voters from the last general election.
This is a plain-language summary of proposed legislation for the Township of West Orange, New Jersey. The full ordinance text governs in all legal matters.