Five residents have applied to serve on the Orange Town Council.
Last month, council member Jeremiah Pent announced his resignation, effective Nov. 6. In an email to his fellow council members, Pent said his work situation had changed dramatically and its demands made his continued involvement with the council impossible.
“I am sorry this precludes me from finishing out my term and I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause you in filling my seat,” Pent wrote.
Pent’s term on the council expires Dec. 31, 2026. A new council member will be chosen to fill the remainder of his term.
Five Orange residents have applied for the role–Jeff Crane, Richard Langford, Elliott Fox, Patrick McAloon and Timothy James Bosford, Jr. Langford, Fox and Bosford, Jr. have all previously served on the town council. Crane is currently on the planning commission and McAloon is on the town’s Industrial Development Authority.
In his resignation letter, Pent suggested that Crane be appointed to complete the remainder of his term. Crane sought election to the council during the recent election and was the fourth top vote getter.
“I believe he would do an excellent job in that capacity,” Pent wrote.
In a letter accompanying his application, Crane said he believes he should be chosen for the role “in fairness to the ones who put their confidence in me and voted for me.” He said as a member of the planning commission, he’s aware of the infrastructure and current town needs. Crane retired after spending 47 years working in the public sector including jobs with the state and the Town of Orange.
Langford owns Paint and Paper and has been a resident of the town for nearly 50 years. In addition to serving on the town council, he has also been a member of the board of zoning appeals and the planning commission. He said those experiences have reinforced his belief that “thoughtful, collaborative leadership is essential to maintaining Orange’s unique character” and he is committed to listening to all residents, making decisions based on facts and long-term vision.
Fox served on the council from 2019 to 2022 and unsuccessfully ran for re-election. He has lived in the town for 66 years and retired from Verizon. Fox said he’s proud of the many accomplishments made by council during his previous term including the North Street connector, street safety projects and the first phase of the Main Street project.
“I’m very interested in serving as the interim council member until Dec. 31, 2026,” he said.
Similar to Langford and Fox, Bosford, Jr. also previously served on town council. He was also on the planning commission. He works for Ntrepid, a software, hardware and cybersecurity company. He said as a longtime resident of the town and in his previous roles he has built and kept positive relationships within the community and with community leaders.
McAloon is the owner of the Holladay House, a six guestroom inn in Orange, as well as an international business and education consulting company. He believes that making the town thrive involves encouraging population growth within town limits to support a vibrant economy and create job opportunities; enticing businesses to locate in places in or near town that don’t attract from scenic beauty and building quality, high-density housing with convenient transportation and parking options, outdoor activity options, an all-weather community performance and event venue and a connection to historical and agricultural resources near town.
The town council is expected to formally announce the selected candidate to fill the remainder of Pent’s term during the regular meeting Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The town council meets in the Town of Orange Community Room, 235 Warren Street, Orange.
