Mayor Hawkins invites residents to apply for vacancies on the Rent Leveling Board, Planning Board, Housing Authority, Library Board of Trustees and Alcohol Beverage Control Board.  These appointments will be made under Orange’s Call to Service initiative to encourage citizen participation in local boards and commissions.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.

“Shortly I will be appointing one member each on the Orange Rent Leveling Board, Orange Planning Board, Orange Housing Authority, Orange Library Board of Trustees, and Orange Alcohol Beverage Control Board.  All board members serve as volunteers without compensation. In filling the vacancies, I want to choose from among the most dedicated, best informed, and highly experienced Orange residents. We are conducting an open appointments process so that all qualified citizens and not just the politically-connected may apply. I invite interested Orange residents to apply for these positions by Friday, August 12th, the deadline for receiving applications.

Rent Leveling Board, Homeowner
The purpose of the Rent Leveling Board is to protect tenants from steep annual rent increases while allowing owners to receive a fair return on their investments. The process allows for mediation for rent disputes and for binding decisions regarding allowable rent increases.  The Board consists of 7 members and 3 alternates, and includes at least 2 tenants, 3 homeowners, and 2 landlords.  The only requirement is that the homeowner member own a home in Orange. The powers of the Board include setting rent rules and regulations, helping landlords and tenants to comply with the rent law, and conducting hearings to settle disputes. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers.

Planning Board
The Planning Board functions under the authority of the Muncipal Land Use Law of New Jersey authorized to exercise power with regard to: Adoption of the Master Plan, Adopted Zoning Map, Subdivision control and site plan review for permitted uses, Recommendations as to the official map of the City, Conditional use applications, Recommendations as to the zoning ordinance or amendments thereto, Review of Capital Improvement Projects, Variances under certain circumstances in connection with site plans and subdivisions, and Central Valley Redevelopment Plan. The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday night of every month at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall unless otherwise specified

Housing Authority
The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Orange is to provide and increase the supply of decent, safe and sanitary affordable housing in an economic and efficient manner.  The Housing Authority develops, owns and operates public housing. It is committed to improving the quality of life for residents and to providing families with economic development and homeownership opportunities.  The Housing Authority acts to establish and maintain a partnership with the City. The Board meets at the Housing Authority Office, 340 Thomas Boulevard.

Alcohol Beverage Control
The Alcohol Beverage Control Board maintains the files and records of liquor licenses in Orange, regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages of each licensee and ensures that all licensees follow the state and municipal laws, rules and regulations governing their operation. All meetings are held on the second Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Executive Conference Room, Freddie Polhill Law & Justice Complex, 29 Park Street, Orange, NJ 07050 unless otherwise specified.

Orange Library Board of Trustees
The Orange Public Library is a magnificent building built in the Beaux-Art and Classical Revival styles complete with Ionic and Doric columns, and richly ornamented architectural details.  McKim, Mead and White designed the original library building in 1900 and it was recorded as a national historic landmark in 1981. Orange has a rich library tradition dating back to 1883.  From the Library’s beginning, it was an association library, supported by dues, endowments and donations.  In 1945, the citizens of Orange voted by referendum to financially support a ‘‘free public library’’, and took over the operation of the building as a publicly owned and municipally operated facility. The Board of Trustees oversees the operation and maintenance of the library; determines the library’s budget for building maintenance, renovation and new acquisitions; chooses the library’s director; and is responsible for raising public and private sector funds for the library.

If you are interested in applying for the vacancies, please mail a resume and statement of your goals for the position(s) you seek to Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, City Hall, 29 North Day Street, Orange, NJ 07050 or email your resume and statement to Lawanda Henry, Secretary to the Mayor at LHenry@ci.orange.nj.us.