WEST MILFORD With thinly veiled respect, the township council and the local Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) met on Wednesday night. Both parties aired grievances and occasionally crossed swords but some understanding and agreement was made, in particular by the council. The utilities authority hoped to get the council to send a letter to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In that letter, the utilities authority want the council to support its request to seek more time in completing an expensive wastewater management plan. The municipal authority wants to wait until the state has released its highly anticipated Highlands Master Plan, which will specify the direction and standards of water issues in towns such as West Milford. The utilities engineer, Dennis Karakos, argued that to complete a costly wastewater plan at this time would be financial folly as the Highlands Master Plan may require the job to be done all over again. Carrack also said, “You could be wasting a portion of your money, or all of your money, depending on what they [the Department of Environmental Protection] allow.” Having a plan completed is only part of the argument. Who will pay the estimated $75,000+ cost is also unclear. The utilities authority provides water and sewer service to approximately 1700 homes and businesses in the town and so is also arguing against the opinion that it be required to complete the wastewater plan for the whole town. George Dusenberry, the chairman of the utilities board said, “Why should MUA have to pay [for the plan] and put the cost on only 1700 people?” Citing the 2005 Highlands Act, which designated West Milford to be an area where no major development can take place, Township Attorney Fred Semrau took a different view to the utilities representatives believing that the wastewater plan could go ahead. “It’s my understanding that there are no surprises really left for West Milford,” said Semrau. “We’re one hundred percent within the preservation area and I think it’s going to be a real hard sell to Trenton to say give us some time.’ I think the response is going to be that you have enough information right now ... essentially, everything is defined for us.” Karakos responded to Semrau, “There is a scenario where we could move forward with the plan and then the Highlands Act could be repealed. I think our approach is logical and makes sense.” As was expected, the rare meeting of the two bodies gave an opportunity for issues other than the wastewater plan to be raised. Semrau took his chance to ask about the utilities authority’s position on aiding the township’s fight against high density developments, in particular Boulder Pond formerly known as Eagle Ridge. Semrau wants the municipal authority to agree to allow additional homes to be included in a well pumping test which is crucial to establishing the availability of water to residents in the area. Semrau said, “If we’re here to try to plan and work together ... in concern for these residents we have not received any kind of response, or just to say what would it hurt to include the 15 residents who have signed on to the testing plan, because they’re washing clothes outside their houses to begin with.” Semrau also said, “If I sound frustrated, I’m in litigation. I need answers ... my letters are going without response.” The utilities authority attorney Robert Baum took exception to Semrau’s comments, “You’re asking us to second guess the DEP’s approval of the test pump plan.” Semrau disagreed and said, “I’m asking you to participate. I’m asking you to give us a chance” Dusenberry interceded, “We didn’t come here to get abused. My people will not take it and I will not take it.” In a slightly calmer atmosphere Baum responded to Semrau’s claims. “What you’re basically saying is we should take a proactive position with regard to the water,” said Baum, “You want us to spend the MUA’s money to get another hydrogeologist out there and say there’s something wrong with the DEP’s figures. We’re not going to take a proactive position on this. Mr. Karakos set that forth in his letter.” Ultimately the utilities authority agreed to contact the environmental department and allow those extra residents to be included in the testing process. At the meeting’s conclusion Semrau said, “I got what I needed. To get a commitment to get those residents included in the test. That was very important.” The decision on whether to support the utilities authority’s letter for a stay on the wastewater management plan will be discussed by the council over the coming weeks.