New Owners Cut Down 247 Trees at Former Manor Property Without Permit

WEST ORANGE, NJ – Last week, Our Green West Orange (OGWO) board member Joyce Rudin drove past the former Manor at 111 Prospect Avenue and saw many trees had been cut down. She reported what happened to the Mayor, Town Council, Zoning Officer and Police Chief Abbott. West Orange Forester Walt Kipp drove to the premises to take an inventory of the stumps and discovered that 247 were chopped down without a permit.

According to the updated tree ordinance, “Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity violating any other provisions of this article shall, upon conviction of such violation, be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,000 for each offense, in addition to the required mitigation for each tree illegally removed. Each illegally removed or damaged tree shall constitute a separate offense. Violations of this ORDINANCE shall be heard in the MUNICIPAL COURT of competent jurisdiction.”

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Mayor Susan McCartney stated, "The various Township departments involved with 111 Prospect Avenue site are reviewing and responding to the issues involving the subject property. Specifically, the Township Forester and the Dept of Public Works have been to the site. The zoning official has been in contact with the property owner and requested updated plans." She continued, "After reviewing the situation, the Forrester will determine appropriate remedies. In the meantime, the law department has advised the property owner that no further action should be taken at the site while this is reviewed. Any summons will ultimately be determined by the municipal court after appropriate due process is provided."

The township is expected to issue nearly 500 summons — 247 to the new owners, Legacy Grand, and 247 to the tree company, Elmwood Tree Service. Two additional summonses will be issued to the tree company, which is not registered to work in West Orange.

After the summonses are issued, a court date will be set and fines levied by the judge. Should the judge set the maximum fine of $2,000 per tree, the companies may face a combined $1 million fine. Also, the new owners must replace an equal number of trees removed or more, depending on the diameter of the stump.”

Every company removing trees must be licensed by the Township, and a permit is required to cut down ANY tree, whether alive or dead.

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OGWO encourages residents to notify them to report trees marked with red to be cut and illegal tree removals by emailing info@ourgreenwestorange.org or forester@westorange.org or calling (973) 325-4015.

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