WEST MILFORD More than six years of discussion and debate will see some action this week when the town’s Historic Preservation Commission meets. The commission will sit down at a public meeting with their consultant and consider adopting the proposal to designate the street front area, from the Union Valley Road/Macopin Road intersection to Ridge Road, as an historic landmark. The adoption of this designation will, however, meet with strong opposition. “We are trying to save this part of town for the future generations,” said James Van Hooker, chairman of the commission. “We have been trying to get this done for a while,” Van Hooker added. “We hired a consultant, Wayne McCabe, to review all aspects of the idea, and we plan to talk about these at our next meeting.” At that meeting there will be resistance to the plan from those who live and own homes along the proposed designated area. Gary Earl lives on Union Valley Road in a house built by his wife’s grandfather more than 80 years ago. “I’m not against historic designation,” said Earl, “but I’d like it to be my choice.” An unwillingness to accept restrictions on making changes to homes that they own lies at the heart of objections from Earl and his neighbors. Earl said, “I don’t want to be told I can’t, say, put a particular window in my house. I don’t want another layer of bureaucracy put on me especially when it doesn’t benefit me.” Vehemently opposed is Mike Heller. Heller also lives in the proposed historic area on Union Valley Road. In a series of letters going back six years, Heller has grown increasingly irritated by the preservation commission’s persistence. In a letter dated Sept. 11, 2006, Heller advised he would consider taking the town to court if necessary. He wrote, “ if the Commission or the Township of West Milford intend to go through with this designation, I, along with my neighbors, will initiate legal action against all entities . ” Van Hooker responded, “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.” Knowing a thing or two about property values and the even greater usefulness of residing in a town with regard for its appearance, Mark Werner is energetically positive about the plan. As the owner of Keller Williams Realty, Werner is aware of the big picture when a town is looking to upgrade itself. “There is no downside to historic designation,” said Werner. “It would help the town in its attempts at beautification. It would also provide good curb appeal to the main stretch in town which would increase the attractiveness, would increase visitors and would increase a good feeling in the town; it’s a win-win situation.” Werner said, “If you think of Warwick town center, it has great curb appeal. People want to shop there and walk there. We could have that too. The same thing is being started in Wanaque and has already been done in many towns in Bergen County.” Werner concluded, “It’s the front door of West Milford. We should do as much as we can to protect it.” So, what does a West Milford business owner do when the town is in the middle of a debate like this? Prosper and move forward; at least, if you are Melissa and Glenn Liebau, you do. This weekend, if all things go as planned, they will expand their deli business to include the new, It’s All Good Deli’ which will operate from the former Pop’s Grill on Union Valley Road. As the owners of the Country Roads Deli at the opposite end of Union Valley Road, Melissa Liebau knows the costs and benefits of developing in West Milford. “It’s a little bit crazy right now running the deli, looking after our three children and our home, but my sister is taking on this project with us so it is making things a little easier.” Liebau’s sister, Susan Owens, will operate the business in partnership with the husband and wife team, and Melissa is confident the venture will be a success. “We have had such a positive response from people. I think all businesses in town can do well as long as local people support them,” said Liebau. “I think if local people had more choice in town other than banks, delis and pizza places, they would shop here instead of heading down Route 23 or 17.” What may be an historic, Historic Preservation Commission meeting will take place on Tuesday night, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.