Lower Milford Township

The Lower Milford Residents Association has mounted an effort to oppose changing the current zoning ordinance and to defend the residents interest in the Curative Amendment Hearings. The have retained attorney John Rice to protect their interests. They have initiated their own official site where much more information about their activities and progress are listed.

One could ask why do we need a Group to defend the interests of the community. Shouldn't the Supervisors do that? Whlie, in theory, this is true,there are several considerations:

• Since the Supervisors are hearing the Curative Amendment, they are forbidden to voice their opinions  without being accused of bias. Therefore, it is not clear what their position is. A citizens group can help reinforce the community concerns to protect our quality of life.
• The Supervisors has various pressures that can sway their decision. They have undertaken expensive programs such as build a substantial Police force. They have established a 50% increase in local taxes to support and relocate the Fire Department. A number of road and bridges need repair. It is becoming clear that these programs are not sustainable without a tax increase. It may be politically prudent to succumb to these pressures and permit the quarry to operate if the economic incentives are sufficient. LMRA can pressure them to remember why we appreciate the environment the Township presently affords.
• The cost of litigation is high. Other communities have buckled under the cost of seeing such suits to completion without certainty of victory. LMRA can reinforce that surrender is more costly in the long run.
• Sound legal advice that offer support to the legal defence always will prove beneficial. LMRA seems to have enlisted a top notch attorney to provide legal help for opposing the destruction of our ordinances.

LMRA Board members are residents who live in the immediate vicinity and have most to lose. That it how it should be. However, they have members throughout the community. The effects of a quarry have been shown to be destructive to entire communities. Beside the noise and pollution near the site, one can expect significant change in traffic throughout the community. It is doubtful that the narrow and curvy roads that would provide egress to trucks could be maneuvered by 200 trucks/day (one every 90 seconds would leave or enter the site) without additional dust, hazards affecting everyone in the community. We all should support their effort.

Join or support their efffort. Our quality of life will depend on it.