WEST MILFORD Following the recent dispute regarding a political Web site and the resignation of a council member, new allegations have been brought to light implicating a second former West Milford councilman. Joseph Elcavage resigned from his position on the town council only days after the council agreed to a formal investigation into possible links between Elcavage and the controversial Web site. Now former council member Paul Bailey is the focus of an allegation brought by James Warden, a sitting council member. Although the council opted to drop the investigation following Elcavage’s resignation, Warden filed suit against the now-defunct Web site, FleecingWestMilford.com, and maintained his own investigations to identify the individuals responsible. In the course of this search Warden claims to have found new and potentially damaging evidence against Bailey. A series of e-mails sent between Bailey and Elcavage stretching from April 4, 2005 to November 7, 2005 suggest both men were in favor of supporting the 280 new homes at Eagle Ridge planned by New Jersey developers K. Hovnanian. The council had presented a unified face against the plan, and along with many residents protested repeatedly against the development, citing fears of severe water shortage as the main concern. But an e-mail sent by Bailey to Elcavage on April 4 reads, “I loved seeing the Malcolm Bernie report on Hovnanian was “flawed,” like we didn’t know that day one I have serious problems with the DeMarco [former township attorney] resistance to at least push for an age-restricted housing designation in the Developer’s Agreement.” The “Bernie” report referred to by Bailey was most likely the 1987 Malcolm Pirnie report which suggested that Eagle Ridge was impractical due to insufficient long-term sustainable ground water yield. “There is evidence our council was not united in fighting Hovnanian,” said Warden. Bailey responded, “I never favored Eagle Ridge. At the time Eagle Ridge looked like it was going forward and as a leader I was obliged to look at all the options. Other council members and I were looking at ways to reduce the impact of the development by making it for seniors only, if we were going to be saddled with Eagle Ridge. I think Mr. Warden is trying to re-write history.” When told of Bailey’s comments, Warden said, “Paul Bailey is a liar. I have the e-mails to prove it. Those things Mr. Bailey said were long after the council had agreed to fight Hovnanian. Mr. Bailey tells lies and what I am telling is the truth.” Although Bailey no longer serves on the council he was recently appointed head of the newly formed West Milford Tourism Commission. The new group aims to develop the town’s tourism potential. At a recent council budget meeting, funding for tourism projects was requested. Warden was indignant at the thought of approving the request, “I will not support a $19,000 budget for tourism with him [Bailey] as the leader of that commission, taking into account these e-mails.” Bailey’s response: “I am confused. Is Mr. Warden trying to sabotage the most important economic engine this town has seen in decades?” Warden then said, “I am not trying to sabotage anything. Mr. Bailey is not fit to be the tourism commissioner. I am trying to save tourism from the clutches of Mr. Bailey. There are many people who are far better qualified to take that position.” In another e-mail Bailey asked Elcavage to support him as interim mayor if current mayor Joseph DiDonato stepped down and referred to Council President Bill Gervens as a “Benedict Arnold” for supporting Warden in the efforts to bring a weed harvester to Greenwood Lake. He also called Warden and fellow councilman Bob Nolan “morons.” Bailey was unrepentant. “I did say that, but if you look up the origin of the word moron it shows that it derives from the Greek word “moros,” meaning foolish. The Democrats on the dais today are certainly foolish; therefore, the term is appropriate.” Warden and Bailey are likely to come face to face at Saturday morning’s budget meeting where the issue of funding the tourism commission is likely to be discussed again.