WM council says state land should not be maintained by local property taxes

The state of New Jersey owns the southern portion of Greenwood Lake and needs to step up and take responsibility for its maintenance, the Township of West Milford Council said in a recently passed resolution. Up until now the township has been doing the job and isn’t assuming that responsibility any more.

In a separate resolution the council also cancelled its long Brown’s Point existing lease with the state.

The Township will not allocate resources for the removal of weeds in Greenwood Lake beyond the current year, Trenton officials were told.

Urging the state to act

“West Milford will seek the support and assistance of local and statewide community and environmental organizations in imploring the State to act,” the resolution said.

Mayor Michele Dale and the Township Council are urging the State to allocate sufficient resources to ensure that Greenwood Lake can continue to supply safe drinking water and be used for various recreational activities.

Many North Jersey townships and boroughs depend on their water supply from reservoirs and other water sources located in the township, including Greenwood Lake.

Greenwood Lake is seen as an invaluable natural resource that serves as an integral part of the water supply system for the northern portion of the state and it is also utilized by many state residents for various recreational activities.

The cost of removing hazardous weeds and algae

The Council resolution said the State does not allocate the necessary resources to ensure that the lake is free of hazardous weeds and algae that hinder the enjoyment of the lake. It pointed out that West Milford regularly incurs a significant financial burden ensuring the safety of those enjoying the lake as a result of the State’s failure to maintain the lake.

The Township utilizes its own equipment and staff to remove weeds from the lake and assumed the responsibility of disposing of the weeds that are regularly collected from the State-owned property.

Stressing their belief that local property taxes should not be used to maintain state-owned land and water bodies, the Council members said in their resolution that the Township is willing to enter into a contract with the State for the removal of weeds from Greenwood Lake if the State is willing to reimburse the Township for the costs incurred.

The local officials consulted with the Township’s representatives on the Greenwood Lake Commission concerning the resolution. They will also be in contact with all property owners adjacent to Greenwood Lake in order to help ensure their concerns with the maintenance of Greenwood Lake are communicated to the State.

The Township will seek the support and assistance of local and statewide community and environmental organizations in imploring New Jersey officials to act.

Outreach to property owners, environmental groups

Township Administrator William Senande was directed by the Council to contact all property owners adjacent to Greenwood Lake in order to help ensure their concerns with the maintenance of Greenwood Lake are communicated to Trenton.

Senande was also directed to contact local and statewide community and environmental organizations in order to garner their support and assistance in imploring the state to allocate the resources necessary to properly maintain Greenwood Lake.

- Ann Genader