Michelle Casalino’s Accomplishments as Councilwoman

I am proud to have worked alongside our staff and community partners focusing on new and innovative ways to support our residents, businesses, taxpayers, and schools.  Some of my most efficient and tax saving accomplishments during my tenure include:

 

I take great pride that West Orange has been certified as the 13th town in the state of New Jersey to be accepted into the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities.  I worked with our township grant writer and health department to acquire over $150,000 in grant revenue, leading to the expansion of our senior citizen offerings, the hiring of a Senior Livability Coordinator, and expansion of our senior transportation services.  Our senior programming has now been branded as Aging Well West Orange and serves our older adult population of 55 and older.

Looking to the future I voted to name Matrix Development Group as our Phase II Downtown Re-developer, investing tens of millions of dollars into our Downtown Corridor and recognizing West Orange as a Film Ready Community for New Jersey’s Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC).  Making way for over 500 future jobs and boosting economic development for our entire community.  Bringing the motion picture industry back to the township where Thomas Edison began it over 100 years ago. 

This past year the benefits of our 2018 Executive Drive Redevelopment project came to fruition with the opening of our new centrally located, state of the art West Orange Public Library.  Residents of all ages have been enjoying the welcoming and stimulating environment and utilizing a dynamic network of resources at the new location.  I have supported Phase II of the project which will create new walkways to accommodate easier access into the building.  The township has benefited from inheriting the existing tenant at the building from the redeveloper, generating over $1.2 million dollars in rental income per year.

The West Orange Dog Park at Executive Drive which is now open to the public was an another benefit of the Executive Drive Redevelopment plan.  It features separate spaces for small and large dogs and was funded by the redeveloper.  The newly built Stonehill at West Orange located on Executive Drive consists of 424 luxury rental units which includes 65 affordable units and over 44,000 square feet of world-class amenity space.  This beautifully designed complex will provide Essex Green Shopping Center with a strong economic boost so it can thrive for years to come.

I was excited to vote to repurpose the former aging West Orange Public Library site at 46 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, to become 65 affordable Senior Citizen apartments.  This new West Orange Senior Housing will open its doors the Fall of 2024 and its 65 affordable units will aide in satisfying the Township’s COAH obligation. 

I’ve been proud to support our first responders with personnel, equipment needs, training and facility improvements.  I had served on the COVID-19 Emergency Task Force for the township during the pandemic and worked with many township officials to provide PPE supplies, food resources and pertinent information to our residents, staff and business owners.

Collaborating with our Downtown Executive Director we have secured over $175,000 in grant revenue from the NJ Division of Tourism and Main Street NJ to market West Orange and its Downtown as a premier visitor’s destination.  We have initiated events such as West Orange Restaurant Week, Downtown Thursdays, and Realtor Open Houses and continued to expand the Downtown West Orange Street Fair with our hard-working Downtown Alliance and West Orange Public Relation commissioners, to bring support and awareness to our local business owners as we wait for the next phase of redevelopment to commence.

I have supported open space and our environment by voting to acquire the 18-hole, 138-acre Rock Spring Golf Course, and 96 acres of Crestmont Country Club to remain free from development.  I have voted to approve the Green Acres application for Rock Spring to reduce our debt and preserve this historic public course.  I have also recently voted to protect our tree canopy with my vote to amend and strengthen our tree ordinance. 

Utilizing my ten years of experience as a member of the West Orange Board of Education to serve as the council liaison to the school board.  I worked with school and township officials to secure a $300,000 COPS GRANT which provides security resources to our school district.  

I am proud to support grant initiatives to help fund the paving and repairing of our neighborhood streets.

Collaborated with our grant writer and recreation director on improvements the entire campus at Degnan Park. I have supported the installation of our first all inclusive playground for children with special needs at Colgate Park, a skateboard park for our more adventurist young residents at Jenkins Park, walking paths at Ridgeway Park and various safety upgrades and pickle ball courts to our other parks. 

I’ve also supported improvements to our various youth, senior citizens and special needs recreational programs.  Many upgrades to our township pool, included expanding parking. Recreation is an important part of our community, and we are fortunate to have a strong parks and recreation department.

 

 

I humbly ask for your vote so that I may continue to work for West Orange!