June 19, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Mahwah Township seeks funds to study Highlands centers by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Council has approved a motion by Councilman John Spiech to authorize Township Administrator Brian Campion to send a letter to the Highlands Council indicating the township’s interest in establishing development centers within Mahwah. The letter will also request about $16,000 to fund a study of the pros and cons of establishing those development centers. The Highlands Council was formed in 2004 as a result of the state’s Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (also known as the Highlands Act). The act was signed into law in August 2004 to preserve open space and protect the state’s diversity of natural resources, including the water resources that supply drinking water to more than half of the state’s residents. The Highlands Council Regional Master Plan approved in July 2008 divided Mahwah into two areas. The portion of Mahwah west of Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) is in the preservation area and the land east of that road and east of the southern portion of Route 287 is in the planning area. The fundamental distinction between the two areas is that the township and county conformance with the Highlands Council Regional Master Plan is required in the preservation area, but is voluntary on their part in the planning area. At a recent public meeting, the township council continued to discuss the possibility of establishing development centers within the planning area, and Campion provided a draft of the proposed letter to the Highlands Council for the governing body’s review. The majority of the council (continued on page 14)