Former West Orange Ron Jolyn Apartment Residents Ask Township To Give Them Landlord's Reimbursement

WEST ORANGE, NJ — During the Oct. 8 town council meeting, several former Ron Jolyn residents spoke of how their lives were devastated when they were evacuated from their homes due to the collapse of the steep slope on the property during Hurricane Irene.

Town Council candidate Joyce Rudin accompanied Christine Catalano and two her daughters to speak to council members. She stated, “Three years ago, almost to the day, 45 families in West Orange lost their homes forever. Bad things happened, but this was something that was foreseen. It was warned against. It was preventable.” She spoke of the old growth forest with over 1,000 trees that was cut down to install impermeable artificial turf on Seton Hall’s field.

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Rudin urged the council to give the former Ron Jolyn residents the $135,000 that the landlord of Ron Jolyn is paying the township for the expenses incurred by housing and feeding the residents. She noted, “This settlement should go to the victims. I appreciate that the township put out money for these residents. They were promised money until they were promised housing, until they were fully rehoused.” Then the township ran out of money.

Christine shared that she’s lived in West Orange for 45 years. Her daughters, Gabrielle (13) and Gianna (9) stood with her as she spoke, and then Gabrielle spoke later. Christine stated, “Our lives were ruined. At midnight, the township came in and told us we ought to evacuate. They did give us alternate housing at hotels here locally, which we went to. I had to fight because I had two young kids. I asked for a kitchen so we didn't have to buy out every day.” She added, “It was a very hard couple of months. West Orange did give me a kitchen. We stayed at the Residence Inn until December. I was discharged because I could not find anything within the cap that the state allowed because the rents were so high. Now, we are asking West Orange to help us.” She said she had to move to another town.

Gabrielle shared, “It was really horrific for me, because not only did that incident cause me to have to move and leave all my friends, but I have never seen my mom in this predicament. And for you guys to all sit up here nonchalantly and watch her cry and shake. A man right here was put behind bars.” She mentioned that another man was evicted.

Christop her Banks spoke on behalf of his mother, a former tenant of Ron Jolyn. English isn’t her first language, and he was living with her at the time. He said that some people and animals didn’t survive the tragedy (some died after the evictions). He inquired, “What’s the consideration for the proceeds [from the state]? Do you know that there is an active pending litigation case against not only the land and the landlord entities, but the town as well, even though you have certain immunities, and you know our attorneys who are representing, my mother and the other tenants are looking into other ways to pierce that veil, right?” He reported that the group is also taking action against Seton Hall. Banks mentioned that FEMA has been added to insurance claims in a new law, and damages are now the responsibility of the landlord. He also noted that an elevating wall might have protected the rock slope from sliding.

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Council members were empathetic and apologized that they were unable to respond to the former Ron Jolyn residents’ comments due to the ongoing lawsuit. They held an executive meeting to discuss the situation.

After their meeting, Council Member Tammy Williams stated, “This was absolutely a devastating, life-altering event. If we had the capacity to do any more as a community, absolutely we would.” She added, “But, as was mentioned, these funds are a settlement from taxpayer dollars, and those taxpayer dollars have to go back from the settlement. We are deeply moved, but we do have certain guidelines and restrictions that we have to obey.” The council voted to authorize the settlement from Ron Jolyn. FEMA is also reimbursing the township $155,000 . Council Member Michelle Casalino reported that West Orange has not been compensated $15,000 for expenses.

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