WEST MILFORD A proposal to create a historic designation for part of Union Valley Road will be either be forwarded for a council resolution or nixed by the Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday. The designation is causing anger and concern among many, particularly some of the people who live or own property along the area earmarked for preservation. But the town council seems to neither know or care much about the issue. They have yet to have the matter appear before them. However, one of the affected residents, Mike Heller, has implored they become involved now. “I’ve had zero from them,” said Heller. “Nobody from the council or the mayor has responded to my e-mails.” Heller lives on Union Valley Rd. and has spent significant money developing his home. While Heller has no problem sustaining a positive impression for those entering West Milford from that end of town, he does not want what he sees as the township imposing or restricting him from working on his property. As explained by Preservation Commission chairman Jim Van Hooker, “We are trying to save this part of town for the future generations.” Van Hooker also clarified that if the designation succeeded, “Property owners within the designated area could do anything they wanted to the inside and rear of their properties. If they wanted to alter the front or sides of the buildings they would first need to get a certificate of appropriateness from the planning department.” The Messenger tried to get a response from Mayor Joseph DiDonato and five council members; there was no response from the mayor or Councilmen Weisbecker or Smolinski. Councilman Scangarello did answer a phone call, but did not have time to comment. Councilman Warden asked for a call back but couldn’t be reached prior to publication. Only councilman Bob Nolan was available for comment and he admitted it was a subject relatively new to him. “To be frank, it’s not something that I’ve given much thought to,” said Nolan. “However, just because a building may be old, doesn’t make it historic. That section of roadway can certainly use sprucing up, but I’m not sure if we need to designate it as historic in order to do so.” Nolan continued, including a reference to the recent election results maintaining the stronghold the Republican members have on the council. He said, “I’ll give it a lot more thought if, and when, it comes before the council. If it does, the decision will be made by the Republican council majority, regardless of what Jim Warden and I may think. The ball is in their court.”