Long-time law firm cuts ties with Cranbury.
By: Rebecca Tokarz
After more than 50 years of representing the Township Committee, the law firm of Huff, Moran and Orron will no longer provide legal services to Cranbury.
The Township Committee appointed Triska Waterbury of the Princeton-based law firm, Mason, Griffin and Pierson as its new township attorney.
The Township Committee voted 3-2 at Monday’s reorganization meeting to appoint Ms. Waterbury.
Republicans Michael Mayes and Alan Danser each voted against her appointment.
"I am very excited and looking forward to the challenge and working with the governing staff and body," said Ms. Waterbury, an East Amwell resident.
A 1996 graduate of Boston University’s School of Law, Ms. Waterbury replaces William Moran, who served as the township attorney for 22 years.
Ms. Waterbury’s salary has yet to be determined, said Township Administrator Fred Carr.
Ms. Waterbury will provide legal advice to the Township Committee on different township matters, including land acquisition and use, as well as attend all Township Committee meetings.
The Township Committee decided to seek another township attorney while reviewing its annual township appointments.
"This year, during the personnel review, we thought we would open the field up to new attorneys," Mayor Pari Stave said.
The Township Committee interviewed six candidates for the township attorney post in December, including Mr. Moran.
The candidates were evaluated on their experience in dealing with municipal law and their understanding of and experience with farmland preservation and affordable housing, as well as their communication skills.
The quality of the candidate pool made the decision a difficult one, but Mayor Stave was pleased with the outcome.
"Trishka is a rising star in the firm," Mayor Stave said. "She and her firm bring a wealth of experience in municipal law."
Most recently, Ms. Waterbury has worked as the deputy township attorney for Princeton, Hopewell and Montgomery, where she worked closely with the township attorneys for each location. Under the deputy attorney post, Ms. Waterbury was in charge of land use litigation and other litigation for Princeton and Montgomery at the trial and appellate levels.
The personnel change ends a 50-year relationship between the township and Mr. Moran’s law firm, Huff, Moran and Orron. For the last five decades, a member of the group has represented the Township Committee as its attorney.
"Huff, Moran and Orron had a great run," Ms. Stave said, noting that their service will be a benchmark that will be looked upon with great gratitude.
"They are extremely large shoes to fill. I hope I can do as well for Cranbury as he did," Ms. Waterbury said.
Ms. Waterbury said she was looking forward to settling down in her new post.

