New Jersey towns in the Highlands suffer a double whammy from a halt in new tax ratables and declining municipal and school aid. Even projects that benefit the environment are wrapped in red tape, such as a sewer line hookup in Washington Township which would remove aging septic systems. Other towns are forced to put in dense COAH housing when the goal was supposed to be aguifer and surface water protection. Also in Washington Township, owners of an existing cell tower are being told they can\'t add simple co-location abilities requested by the fire and police departments due to the date of a four year old application. This petition calls for special legislation for relief for Highlands towns in school and municipal aid, exemptions from COAH, and the appointment of a special ombudsman for the outrageous cases of bureaucratic mismanagement. Launched by Washington Township\'s Jim Harmon, this grassroots effort is endorsed by Assemblyman Rick Merkt, Senator Steve Oroho, and Morris County Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom. The final petition will be presented in support of new legislation.

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