Jefferson Mayor Eric Wilsusen, left, West Milford Mayor Michele Dale, and Vernon Mayor Anthony Rossi met on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, to align positions and publicly reveal the regional collation’s platform and push for a fair solution for all Highlands communities.
Jefferson Mayor Eric Wilsusen, left, West Milford Mayor Michele Dale, and Vernon Mayor Anthony Rossi met on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, to align positions and publicly reveal the regional collation’s platform and push for a fair solution for all Highlands communities. ( Photo provide)

West Milford. Led by Jefferson and West Milford, municipalities in New Jersey’s Highlands region are organizing a regional push for state funding, arguing the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act limits growth and tax revenue while slashing school aid.

Highlands towns unite to demand state relief from development restrictions
17 Feb 2026 | 11:20
Local News

Led by Jefferson and West Milford townships, municipalities across Northern New Jersey’s Highlands region are rallying and working together to get state political leaders to address the inequities of Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (Highlands Act).

Adopted in August 2004, the Highlands Act...