The newly organized West Milford Economic Development Commission (EDC) and its chairman Steve Drew are focused on promoting residential housing development in town. EDC Members stated that residential housing growth is needed to grow both the economy and the government. However, their goals are misguided for several reasons.
Under the NJ Highlands Act, more housing developments would violate NJ state law. Further, past studies and present information show that the school costs for children in residential homes would far exceed the amount to of property tax that increased residential growth would bring. Finally, three past studies show that West Milford is currently over-developed in terms of the long-term sustainable yield of ground water available for the town's wells.
Instead, the EDC should focus on ways to encourage residents to "shop local." That would save time, gasoline and wear on the residential cars. Shopping local would support West Milford businesses that employ many township residents. Shopping local would keep local stores in business to make shopping more convenient for local residents. Finally, local stores often provide services not provided by out of town stores, such as ordering goods not regularly carried or temporarily out of stock.
In summary, the West Milford EDC and its chairman need to educate themselves on relevant state regulations, past economic studies, the needs of local residents, and factors that affect the West Milford economy. The relevant information has already been explained to the EDC by Councilwoman Ada Erik, the mayor's designee to the commission. If the West Milford EDC is not relevant to West Milford, it should again be eliminated.
Doris Aaronson
West Milford