WEST MILFORD When testing the phosphorus and bacteria levels in Belcher’s Creek the results are usually high. When identifying the primary cause of these pollutants, the waters begin to get murky. In the line of fire is West Milford’s Municipal Utilities Authority. The utilities authority provides water and sewer services to over 1700 homes and businesses in town, and operates six sewerage treatments plants throughout West Milford (Crescent Park, Bald Eagle, High View, Old Milford, Birch Hill and Awosting). Local resident Dr. Doris Aaronson and Town Councilman James Warden accuse the utilities authority of being the largest polluter of Belcher’s Creek and the source of sky-high bacteria levels at the outflow pipe of the Old Milford plant. Belcher’s Creek is the main tributary to the southern end of Greenwood Lake, the scene of recurring weed problems that severely restrict activities on the lake. Aaronson and Warden took water samples from the Old Milford site and sent them to Garden State Laboratories in Hillside, N.J. On receiving the results, Aaronson claims the bacteria count was 2000 times the safe levels set by the State’s Department of Environmental Protection. Warden took photographs of what he claims is clear evidence of high levels of phosphorus appearing in Belcher’s Creek. “We don’t acknowledge these results,” said Diane Paretti, executive director of West Milford’s Municipal Utilities Authority. According to Paretti, the utilities authority and the Department of Environmental Protection carry out their own water quality tests and did so recently. “Our tests came out fine,” said Paretti. “The tests are not fine,” said Warden, “Someone is not telling the truth and I intend to ask my council colleagues for an investigation into the MUA [Municipal Utilities Authority].” By invoking the powers of the town council, Warden is perhaps highlighting the unmistakable political aspect to this matter. While Warden and Aaronson are Democrats, the board of the municipal authority has a distinct Republican lean to it. Former Republican council member Joseph Elcavage is the authority’s Secretary and Treasurer, while one of the alternate members of the board is Dr. Sal Schimmenti, current Republican candidate for town council. Warden said, however, “No one is trying to make this political but him.” The he’ in question is Dr. Les Lyn. At a recent Environmental Commission meeting and in newspaper reports, Lyn blasted Aaronson’s test results and questioned her reputation. “I take great objection to the political divisiveness he has brought to this,” said Warden, “For years people like Dr. Lyn have tried to put forth the misconception that the pollution was mainly due to faulty septics.” Warden also accuses the utilities authority of playing fast and loose with potential developers in town. In particular, Warden highlighted the recent Valley Ridge hearing where it was disclosed that the local utilities authority had agreed to the construction of a sewerage pipe over a ridge leading into the Old Milford plant. Valley Ridge is a proposed 100 town house development planned for nine acres of land adjacent to Union Valley Road. It was also disclosed that Trammel Crow, the developer in this case, would make a financial contribution to the utilities authority in return for its work. Warden concluded, “The only thing that stinks worse than Valley Ridge is the output of the MUA. I will get to the bottom of this.” Paretti, of the utilities authority, said her organization intends to release a statement to the public and the press on the issue of water quality next week.