4 Public Projects In West Orange Up For Vote: 2018 Election

WEST ORANGE, NJ — If you’re a registered voter who’s complained about the way your tax dollars are spent in West Orange, you’ll get your chance to take matters into your own hands on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

As part of the 2018 General Election - in addition to electing a mayor, two town council members and two Board of Education members - West Orange voters will face a non-binding, $400,000 referendum question.

Here’s how it works.

Under the program – which town officials have dubbed “Our Town, Your Choice” – officials have earmarked $400,000 in capital funds to be used for a public project to improve West Orange. On Nov. 6, local voters will get to decide between four ways to spend the money:

• Emergency Information AM Radio Station
• Pleasant Valley Way Sidewalk Repairs (between Belle Terre Road and Mellon Avenue)
• Special Needs Playground Of Inclusive Play
• OSPAC Improvement And Handicap Parking Project

The four proposals were submitted to town officials last spring during the first phases of the process, according to a town FAQ sheet about the program (read more here). Ultimately, the West Orange Town Council will have to approve a bond ordinance to fund the projects. It will then be the mayor’s duty to recommend contracts to get the projects moving.

West Orange town officials said that they hope the ballot process will encourage local residents to take a more active part in the way their hometown runs.

According to officials:

“Participatory budgeting allows residents to directly be positively involved in the budgeting and township-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure that the township’s capital improvement plan reflects the priorities of West Orange Township residents.”

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