Green Jersey

West Orange should protect its trees

by Sylvia Guarino

For those concerned with the environment and overdevelopment in the township of West Orange, the past year has been fraught with anxiety.

The tree ordinance that the township had on the books was left to expire nearly a year ago, and the town’s trees have been without protection all this time.

Further, and more frustrating, the lack of an ordinance opened the door to developers to cut down acres of trees throughout West Orange and build housing developments where the trees once stood. This obligates West Orange to an enormous affordable housing debt.

In addition, looming on the horizon is the project slated for the forest behind the West Essex Highlands. This development would eliminate 27,000 trees. If you are thinking that is a lot of trees, you are correct. It’s 1,000 more trees than there are in New York City’s Central Park, and all this would be done to accommodate 129 new homes. There are also other issues to be considered, such as water runoff and the likelihood of increased taxes, pollution and traffic — all of which pose a threat or inconvenience to the people living not only near the proposed project, but anywhere in town.

But do we have to look further than the trees to see the forest? I don’t think so. Trees, nature and wildlife often define a town, making it appealing, livable, desirable, even healthy. It is imperative for towns like West Orange to value their trees and make every effort to preserve them.

A number of determined and dedicated individuals, joined by the Sierra Club and the We Care committee, have been advocating for retaining the wooded area behind the West Essex Highlands. They oppose the development (at the least, they want to keep it to a smaller, more responsible size). Their hopes, to a large degree, have hinged on the crafting of a thoughtful tree ordinance.

But despite the efforts of West Orange residents Jerome Sharfman, Paul Tractenberg, Warren Manspeizer, Joyce Rudin and Linda Stiles, the town council has been, at the least, extremely slow in accepting the ordinance. At the worst, it has been somewhat obstructive.

On Monday, however, after more than 6 hours of discussion and deliberation, the council came to an agreement on an ordinance. Perhaps it is not a perfect ordinance, but it is a good ordinance, and good is good enough at this point.

The final step will take place June 24, at the next council meeting, when the council members will hear from the community at large. The ordinance will be read and considered for acceptance.

It is important that everyone in town come to the meeting and support the ordinance as it is written, so it can be accepted and adopted that night.

Sylvia Guarino lives in West Orange.

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