Tuesday September 30th  7:00 PM

West Milford Library

1470 Union Valley Road

Please join West Milford First as we launch the signature gathering process to get our ballot question to change to non-partisan, ward-based form of government on the ballot for November 2026.  

This petition effort has grown from a grassroots movement of residents determined to ensure the community has the opportunity to vote directly on this issue, after residents were denied the chance to approve the mayor’s salary last year. The committee is committed to improving participation, increasing transparency, strengthening representation, and giving residents a meaningful voice in shaping the future of township government.

The agenda for the evening includes an overview of the petition, an explanation of the process required to qualify the question for the 2026 ballot, and ways community members can volunteer to help collect signatures. Residents will also have the chance to ask questions, learn about the benefits of this change, offer input, and get involved!

Speakers will include members of the West Milford First Committee — chaired by former mayor Glenn Wenzel with former council member Robert Nolan acting as Treasurer — and the direct petitioners named on the document.

West Milford First is a nonpartisan political committee with the mission of creating a ballot referendum to return our township’s form of government to a nonpartisan ward system — and with it, return the mayor’s $130,000 salary to a modest stipend. Last February, the committee held a public forum to introduce residents to the initiative, explain its benefits, outline the rationale behind it, and share the petition process.

For those who cannot make the meeting but want to sign the petition or get more information, please contact westmilfordfirst@gmail.com

Volunteer to collect signatures