League
Positions
Click the following links:
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Where We Stand to access the positions of the LWV of the United States
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Taking Action to access the positions of the LWV of New Jersey
Mountain Lakes in Action
Jared Rosenbaum, Associate Director of Stewardship for D&R Greenway Land Trust spearheaded an effort to form a coalition of diverse groups within the state to work together for a more effective statewide deer management plan. A letter was sent to Governor Christie requesting a meeting with his representatives to begin the process of forming a plan to address the problems created by an over-abundant deer population in the state. The League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes along with Mayor Bravo, Environmental Commission Chair Cathy Harvey and Woodlands Committee Chair Phil Notestine are signatories of this letter sent to Governor Christie. Click for a copy of the letter sent to Governor Christie.The League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes
Updated 2/2007
Each year the LWV conducts studies about key issues in our community. A synopsis of each study and its outcome is provided below.- Citizens' Involvement in Government Consensus (April 2006) –
A core mission of the League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes is the promotion
of citizens' participation in government. In support of this mission,
this study addressed how to encourage citizens to run for local elected
office as well as volunteer to serve on school and borough committees and
commissions. The study identified four critical areas for successful
promotion of elected or appointed positions:
1. a formal system of "asking" qualified candidates to run
2. increased resident involvement in committees
3. comprehensive dissemination of information
4. making elected positions attractive to potential candidates
- Education Resources Consensus (April 2005) –
Support of our position recommending that the Board of Education
vigorously pursue educational resources that can be accessed without
increasing taxes to residents. Specifically, the League recommends
that the Board of Education work with the local community to explore
the following options: the creation of a development program, the
establishment of a human resource bank, the establishment of a
community round table planning meeting, the solicitation of funds
for endowments to the schools, the use of wish lists, the use of
new fund raising techniques to elicit community financial commitment
to educational resources.
- Streams and Watershed (2004) – Support for our
position to create a comprehensive watershed management plan to encompass all
water that falls within the Borough’s borders. In addition the Borough
should create a riparian buffer ordinance. Citizen education and stewardship
programs are the keystones to stream and watershed management. The League
supports a joint-committee approach to stream and watershed management.
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Pedestrian Safety Consensus (April 2003)
– Support of our position to carry out the recommendations of the
Master Plan Circulation Plan as well as additional recommendations to improve
the safety of our streets for pedestrians and bicyclists: These include use of
traffic calming measures; improving safety around the schools, including
initiating a "Safe Routes to School" program; maintenance of
sidewalks, rights-of-way; adding striping, pedestrian-activated crossing
lights, pedestrian-only streets, and improved public transportation.
Recommends forming a community advocacy committee.
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Office of Emergency Management Consensus (March 2003)
– Support of our position to sustain the current level of
commitment to emergency planning and preparedness in the Borough and to
augment the current practices in several areas: expanding the mission and
activities of the OEM and LEPC, resident preparation for an emergency,
borough-to-resident communication during an emergency, and emergency planning
and preparedness in the Mountain Lakes schools.
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Woodlands and Streams (2002)
– Support of our position protecting the
Borough’s woodlands and open space from development, protecting streams,
utilizing the Borough’s less sensitive open space for trails with care for the
natural environment, taking judicious action to maintain the health of the
woodlands and streams, and educating residents. Recommends forming a Woodlands
Sub-committee and more proactive involvement with the streams.
- Leaf and Brush Update (2001) – Support of our position to continue compost promotion, leaf drop off at the ML Recycling Center, monthly curbside brush collection, and prevention of dumping on Borough lots. Encourages Borough to augment its programs, especially composting and curbside brush collection, through more active education and extended weekend recycling hours. Recommends Borough offer a leaf disposal option that is fair, equitable, and safe.
- Route 46 Development (2001) – Support of our position to recognize Rt. 46 as an important part of our Borough and to treat it as such. Recommendations include asking the Borough to devote resources to improving the appearance and functionality of the highway, commissioning a design vision, encouraging support of the businesses and landowners, establishing a regular communication forum between Borough and businesses, pursuing outside funding for improvements, reviewing ordinances, and protecting the well recharge area.
- Lyme Disease (2000) – Support of our position that recommends to Borough Council to form a Lyme Disease Committee to keep abreast of current research and coordinate various forms of community education and prevention. Also recommends that the Board of Education increase awareness of Lyme Disease among staff, students and parents and implement tick prevention maintenance practices on school grounds.
- Midvale Revitalization (2000) – Support of our position to revitalize the Midvale area as a center of our community. Recommendations include forming a Borough Midvale Area Committee to address the implementation process, creating a pedestrian plaza, moving some Borough services to the area, a pedestrian and vehicular plan connecting the area to the library and post office, mixed-use zoning, landscaping, and investigating outside funding and consulting services.
- Housing Trends (1999) – Support of our position to reaffirm the 1987 consensus, and further urged Borough Council to investigate a Conservation District, establish an advisory review committee, require training for Borough representatives, consistently enforce ordinances, investigate zoning incentives, and educate the population on the historical and park-like aspects of Mountain Lakes.
- Drinking Water (1999 update of 1989 consensus) – Support of our position on the quality of our drinking water and the need to prevent local contamination of the aquifer. Recommendations include acquire all land within 600 feet of well No. 5, a protective berm be constructed around Well No. 5, ensure adequate emergency plans for a spill and the passage of a well head protection program. Recommends that all wells in Borough are located and properly capped to prevent contamination of the aquifer and water conservation education.
- Alternative Funding for our Education System (1998) – Support of our position on the concept of the Mountain Lakes Educational Foundation as a source of funding for our educational system, with a majority of the funds raised going towards an endowment fund and a small percentage going toward a special project. Also, supports the Board of Education’s efforts to obtain grants, recognizes the benefits of school-business partnerships, and opposes the concept of "pay for play."
- Local Government (1993) – Support of our position on local government that makes recommendations on the role of volunteer committees/commissions in our local government, suggests personnel policies and practices for the staff at Borough Hall, and recommends the establishment of a task force to study improvement of communication from the government to the residents.
- Parks and Recreation (1992) – Support of our consensus to restructure the responsibilities of the Recreation Commission and its Director, to strengthen the sports and enrichment activities for K-12, and the renovation and upgrading of existing playground equipment on Borough property. In addition, the consensus supports the continued maintenance and improvement of all recreational facilities.
- Local Solid Waste (1990) – Support of our consensus to hire a paid professional to direct, coordinate and educate residents on the solid waste/recycling program and that the Borough investigate back door collection of recyclables, collection of bulky waste at the depot, Saturday depot hours, and per container fees.
- Historic Preservation (1988) – Support of our consensus that there is concurrence with the 1987 position and that Historic Preservation Districts and a public education program work to maintain the physical characteristics of Mountain Lakes.
- Character of Mountain Lakes (1987) – Support of our consensus on the preservation of the physical and nonphysical characteristics of Mountain Lakes, including recommendations to strengthen certain land-use and environmental ordinances to maintain this character.
- Citizen’s Search (1984) – Support of our recommendations concerning the purpose and goals of the Citizen’s Search Committee, which encourages residents to run for the Board of Education.