Eruv gets go-ahead from Mahwah
It’s over.
The legal battle that erupted in Mahwah over the expansion of the Monsey eruv into the North Jersey town has ended. Last Wednesday night, a settlement between the two sides was announced.
The Township of Mahwah agreed that it will not interfere with the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association’s installation of eruv pipes on utility poles.
For its part, the eruv association pledged to paint over or replace the existing white plastic tubing that demarcates the eruv so that it will be less visible. It also promised to confer with town officials before expanding or altering the course of the eruv.
Mahwah also agreed to pay at least $10,000 toward the more than $300,000 in legal fees the eruv association and its supporters accrued. The law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges represented the eruv association on a pro bono basis.
Montvale, which adjoins Mahwah, has agreed in principle to settle a similar suit regarding the eruv.
The judge hearing the Mahwah case, as well as related suits in neighboring Upper Saddle River and Montvale, had advised the sides to settle in a hearing earlier in January.
Anti-eruv sentiment was louder in Mahwah than in the other two towns. At a township council meeting on Tuesday night, several Mahwah residents urged their representatives to battle on, even as the council voted to settle.
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