JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Jackson Township Council quietly approved a settlement agreement with Oris Bais Yaakov that will award the private religious school a monetary settlement and grant approval for the construction of the school on Cross Street.
The item was quietly placed on last night’s agenda by Council President Marty Flemming and approved by the township council. The council did not hold any discussion on the matter prior to approving the settlement agreement.
The all-girls school was denied by the township zoning board for multiple safety violations, setbacks, traffic, and other reasons.
Former Zoning Board member Sheldon Hoffstein who was among those on the board who rejected the application nearly ten years ago asked the council if the school would now be built.
Council President Marty Flemming, who is still reeling from a November election loss to Michael Reina to become Mayor, confirmed Oris Bais Yaakov will be granted a financial settlement and will be allowed to build the school.
During the school’s application process, thousands of Jackson residents attended zoning board meetings held inside the auditorium at Jackson Memorial High School.
Township Attorney Gregory P. McGuckin said after the zoning board won a court case, an amended complaint claims the township violated federal religious land use law.
McGuckin refused to disclose the monetary settlement in the matter after the council voted to approve the settlement since he was not the lawyer who litigated the matter for the township.