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Trustee Howard Levison, left, voted against his reappointment to the Finance and Technology Committee. Also pictured are Trustee Mark Rosner and Village Clerk Robin Kline. (Photo: Amy Kiste Nyberg)
Committee Assignments Unchanged in South Orange Reorganization
Monday, May 21, 2012 • 11:10pm
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – Village Trustee Howard Levison voted against his reappointment as the head of the Finance and Information Technology standing committee in what was otherwise a routine organizational meeting of the Board of Trustees Monday night.
“It’s my symbolic way of saying I can’t be effective” under the current structure, Levison said, noting he does not receive the information and reports he needs.
Trustee Michael Goldberg noted that no changes were made to any of the committee and liaison appointments.
Under new business, Levison raised two issues – the status of the renovation of Village Hall and the litigation that names the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties, which operates the waste treatment plant in Elizabeth, as one of the defendants in a massive environmental lawsuit (see related story). South Orange is one of 11 member municipalities of the Joint meeting.
Regarding the renovations, Levison said he is concerned about the time needed to relocate Village Hall operations before construction can get under way. He noted that moving offices to trailers will take “one to two months of prep time” for the site, which could push the construction start date back to November or December.
The village also is in discussion with Seton Hall University regarding a lease on the building at South Orange and Turrell avenues. Village Administrator Barry Lewis Jr. said he hopes to have a proposal for the board at its next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30 because of Memorial Day.
