In response to our request to allow more street parking in the Valley, the Township developed a traffic circulation and parking regulation plan for the following streets between Rollinson Street and Valley Road/Kingsley Streets:

· Pillot Place
· Quinby Place
· Riggs Place
· Swaine Place

A neighborhood meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 7 pm in the gym at Hazel Avenue School, to present, discuss, and answer questions about the plan.

For more information about the plan, read the notice from Mayor Parisi: Proposed Parking & Traffic Regulations to Allow More Street Parking (PDF)

• West Orange Police have released surveillance video of a man breaking into a business on Main Street – this information was carried by our local newspapers and TV news stations late last week. Read the WOPD Press Release
• Video surveillance cameras will soon be installed in targeted areas throughout the Township. Read the Mayor’s Press Release

In light of the anticipated inclement weather conditions and to ensure the safety of our members, the Valley Community Watch meeting scheduled for Monday, October 29th will be postponed until next week or as soon as the Mayor is available. We will follow-up with a new meeting date as soon as one is available.

Stay safe and look out for your neighbors.

We were advised by the WO Police Department about two home burglaries in the Valley:

• There was an attempted Burglary at 25 Hazel Avenue on April 30 at 9:35am. Two arrests were made: One 18 year old male and one juvenile.
• Another burglary occurred at 12 Oxford Terrace on April 30 between 9am and 12:55pm. The point of entry was a broken pane of glass on the front door. The door was unlocked through the broken pane and entry gained. Jewelry and possibly baseball cards were taken from the house. No arrest has been made and no further information is available at this time.

This information was provided by Sergeant John Morella, Community Services Unit Supervisor, WO Police Department. If you have additional information or questions, he can be reached at: (973) 325-4038

A new restaurant is set to open on Valley Rd. with a grand opening celebration Saturday. Mayor Parisi with officiate the ribbon cutting ceremony. Come out, enjoy some food and support business in the Valley.

Heritage Restaurant & Lounge
442 Valley Road
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Ribbon Cutting Celebration with Mayor Parisi @ 2pm

Heritage will be an African and Caribbean restaurant and lounge with food and music that can host special events or parties too.
www.heritagerestaurantusa.com

Situational Awareness Bulletin – Cellular Broadcasting Test This Thursday

The New York City Office of Emergency Management in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and mobile telephone service providers will be conducting the first-ever end-to-end test of cellular broadcasting technology this Thursday, December 15, 2011 from approximately 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

During the test a series of messages will be broadcast over the cellular network and may be received by enabled handsets. Each of these broadcasts will clearly indicate that it is only a test message and that no emergency exists.

While this test is targeted for New York City it is possible that mobile phones in neighboring communities (Nassau County, Westchester County, New Jersey) may also receive the test messages. If the public has any questions regarding the technology, please contact your mobile phone service provider’s customer service number. Each service provider has indicated that their customer service personnel have been informed of this new technology and are aware of the test.

Fire Chief Peter F. Smeraldo, Jr.
West Orange OEM Coordinator

Sign up for West Orange E-Mail Alert service at westorange.org

The Valley Community Watch Elections were held on Monday night, November 28th at Hazel Avenue School. The new 2012/2013 Board members are listed below. All positions were uncontested.

Chairperson: Jonathan Ridley
Vice Chairperson: Jennifer Strozyk
Secretary: Bruni Nelson
Treasurer: Karen De Jong
Communications: Michael Clarke
Sergeant at Arms: Rose DeSena
Chair Emeritus: Juan Pintado

The term for the new Board begins on January 1st, 2012. Congratulations to everyone.

The following was sent via email from the WO Board of Education:

Due to power lines and trees being down, and other storm-related damage, West Orange Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, October 31st.

Following is a statement from West Orange Township:
Yesterday’s storm has left many without power. There are a significant number of downed trees, downed power lines and power outages throughout the Township and in many cases blocking access to streets. This storm has left us with more damage than the storm we had only two months ago, but our emergency personnel and PSE&G are working as quickly as possible to restore power. Please be patient with the response. We have set up an emergency shelter at W.O. High School where food and water are available for all residents. The shelter will remain open until further notice. We are continuing to work with all levels of government to clear our roads and restore power. We ask that you stay off the roads, unless for emergencies, and remain at home. 

Liberty Mutual is offering ten $10,000 awards to fire departments where community members demonstrate their commitment to fire safety through their annual Fire Safety Pledge Program. For every resident that takes the online 10 question, multiple choice quiz, the West Orange Fire Department gets one point. Two grants will be awarded to the departments with the most points at the end of the contest. The contest ends Oct. 31 and winners will be announced in November. West Orange is competing in the medium size department group.

Help the WOFD by taking the Fire Safety Pledge Quiz.
Check out the Leader Board.