The Honorable Senator Joseph Pennacchio
170 Changebridge Road
Montville, NJ 07045
The Honorable Assemblyman Brian Bergen
5 East Main Street Suite 22B
Denville, NJ 07834
The Honorable Assemblyman Jay Webber
160 Littleton Road Suite 204
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Subject: Urgent: Support Highlands Impact Aid for Ringwood Residents
Dear Representatives of District 26,
As a resident of the Borough of Ringwood, I am writing to urge your immediate support for Highlands Impact Aid and a total revision of how school funding is allocated to Highlands preservation communities.
For over two decades, Ringwood has shouldered the strictest land-use restrictions in New Jersey to protect the drinking water for millions of residents across the state. We take this responsibility seriously, but we are doing it at the direct expense of our local taxpayers.
Because we are restricted from developing our land, we cannot grow our tax base. Despite this, the State has failed to deliver the "Impact Aid" and dedicated funding sources promised when the Highlands Act was enacted. This has created an unsustainable financial environment where our property taxes rise while our school aid is cut.
We are asking for your commitment to:
Establish a permanent Highlands Impact Aid fund to compensate for lost development opportunities.
Fix the School Funding Formula to recognize the unique geographic and logistical challenges of Highlands districts.
Implement the "Water User Fee" originally outlined in the Highlands Master Plan to ensure those who benefit from our water help pay for its protection.
Ringwood protects the water for 70% of New Jersey. It is time for New Jersey to protect the residents of Ringwood. We can no longer carry this burden alone.
I look forward to hearing how you plan to address this injustice in Trenton.
Sincerely,