Politics & Government

South Orange Taxpayers Will Pay Street Fair Costs

The Board of Trustees learned Monday that the public will pay police and public works costs for a privately-organized street fair.

South Orange residents will pay for police and public works staff needed for a privately-organized September 30 street fair.

The cost will be between $2000 and $3000, the public learned at the Monday Board of Trustees meeting.  That will pay for four hours of public works and three police officers.

Trustee Michael Goldberg asked why a 2008 law that requires private vendors to pay for such costs was being overlooked.  The Special Events Ordinance of 2008 says,  "Each Applicant shall agree in writing to reimburse the Village for any reasonable and foreseeable expenses incurred by the Village resulting from the Event, including but not limited to police service and clean-up costs."  

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"I want to be assured publicly that the merchant or vendor providing this has provided in writing and is prepared to accept the costs," said Goldberg.

However, trustee Howard Levison explained that the permit was signed in December by the interim Village Administrator. At that time, the vendor was assured that there would be no costs.

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"We have to honor that," said trustee Mark Rosner. 

"I think it will be a success for the towns," said Levison.

The Village is waiving the cost of police and DPW to the vendor. Trustee Goldberg was against the decision.

The South Orange Street Fair will take place on Sunday, September 30th from 11am to 5pm on South Orange Avenue between Vose Avenue and Scotland Road.


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