Orange Township swears in new council, elects Clifford Ross as president and approves salary ordinance

Orange Township held an inauguration and reorganization meeting July 1, 2026, at the Monty Irving Community Center where newly elected and re-elected council members were sworn in and leadership and administrative measures were decided.

At the start of the program the assembly heard an invocation from Reverend Melvin E. Wilson and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the national anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing. Trisha Cypio, acting municipal clerk and chief election official, certified the municipal election results and named Carrie J. Coley (East Ward), Quantavia Hilbert (West Ward), Lynn A. Ogbornne (North Ward), and James H. Ward III (South Ward) as duly elected to four‑year terms.

Judge Rashida Hassan and other officials administered oaths of office. After her swearing, Councilman Carrie J. Coley thanked voters and described priorities including public safety, neighborhood improvements, seniors and youth services and collaborative governance. Quantavia Hilbert and James H. Ward III delivered remarks thanking supporters and pledging to serve their wards.

During the reorganization portion of the meeting the council appointed Welen M. Migu III as temporary chair and then conducted nominations for council president. Clifford R. Ross and Quantavia Hilbert were nominated; Ross was elected council president in a recorded roll‑call vote, 4–3 (resolution 354‑2026). After procedural confusion and a re‑run of roll calls, Welen M. Migu III was elected vice president (resolution 355‑2026).

Council members then moved into regular business. Council considered two ordinances on second reading and multiple resolutions. Ordinance 11‑2026 (an adjustment to residential permit parking hours on Nassau Street) was voted down 7–0. Ordinance 27‑2026, which amends salary ranges for a set of senior municipal positions including placing the police chief and fire chief on the salary guide and establishing a public safety director salary range, passed following a roll call in which six members voted yes and one abstained.

Several council members voiced concern about the timing and fiscal implications of updating top salary ranges. Members pressed staff for detail about whether the ordinance itself created raises. Business Administrator Chris Hartwick told the council that the ordinance only establishes or formalizes salary ranges and that “there are no raises in the budget for any of these positions” absent subsequent action by the appointing authority and budget approval.

Council also approved a set of routine consent items and passed resolutions to manage certain personnel authorities (resolution 357‑2026) and to appoint members to boards and commissions, though some council members asked that future appointments be preceded by broader internal discussion.

The meeting closed after a public‑comment period in which residents urged more programming and use of the Monty Irving Community Center, a request for expanded senior services, and attention to local parks and infrastructure. The council adjourned at 2:27 p.m.; its next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Actions and votes at a glance: Council president — Clifford R. Ross elected (4–3); Council vice president — Welen M. Migu III elected after roll‑call recount; Ordinance 11‑2026 — defeated, 7–0; Ordinance 27‑2026 (salary ranges) — adopted (6 yes, 1 abstain).