Trees Allegedly Cut Down Without Permit At Former Site Of The Manor

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s new tree protection ordinance may be about to get one of its first big tests.

The town council recently passed a local ordinance that regulates the removal and replacement of trees in West Orange. Among other rules, the law requires that residents – and developers – get a permit from the township forester for every tree they cut down.

That apparently wasn’t the case at the former site of The Manor on Prospect Avenue, according to Joyce Rudin, a board member at Our Green West Orange.

Rudin, who is one of several candidates running for township council this November, has been documenting the situation on the advocacy group’s website. On Aug. 21, she posted a photo of a row of tree stumps at the property, which is undergoing a renovation under new ownership – with plans to once again host weddings and other events at the site. See Related: Popular West Orange Wedding Spot May Be Reborn After Closing Last Year

According to Rudin, she was “shocked” to find that trees were removed from the Prospect Avenue entrance all the way down to the main building and around the entire perimeter.

“Trunks of decades-old trees lining the staff parking lot fronting Prospect Avenue were cut down, leaving the trunks standing,” Rudin wrote. “Other trees had huge limbs removed, leaving trees out of balance and destined to fall.”

Rudin pointed out that the town’s new rules include a maximum fine of $2,000 for each tree cut down without a permit – plus mandated tree replacements.

On Aug. 27, Rudin posted an update on the situation, reporting that municipal authorities had been contacted about the trees, and the town forester responded to the property to document any possible losses.

The forester counted 247 stumps at the property, Rudin said.

Any tree removal company that performed the work could also potentially be on the hook, Rudin pointed out.

“Every tree, dead or alive, requires a permit to be removed and must be replaced,” Rudin added. “Every company taking down trees must be licensed with the township.”

Patch reached out to West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney seeking more details about the situation. We received the following reply:

“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 Department of Public Works have been to the site. The zoning official has been in contact with the property owner and requested updated plans. After reviewing the situation, the forester 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.”

Rudin pressed for more action, however.

“It is the role of the municipal court to adjudicate guilt or innocence, not to determine whether a summons should be issued, as the mayor states,” she told Patch.

“The law is the law,” Rudin insisted. “It should not be subject to arbitrary enforcement.”

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