“The Water Has Nowhere to Go”: Assemblyman Robert Auth & Mayor Mike Ghassali Challenge Trenton’s Overdevelopment Mandates
photo courtesy of Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Every time a heavy rain hits Northern New Jersey, local residents face the same frustrating reality: flooded roadways, backed-up drainage systems, and costly property damage.
While routine storms were once manageable, local leaders warn that decades of reckless state policy have pushed municipal infrastructure past its breaking point.
Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali recently captured the core of the issue with a straightforward observation:
“When trees, soil, and open land are replaced with pavement and rooftops, the water has nowhere to go.”
Assemblyman Robert Auth agrees—and he is taking that fight directly to state lawmakers in Trenton.
The Hidden Cost of Unchecked High-Density Development
For over two decades, Trenton lawmakers have continually pushed aggressive high-density housing mandates onto suburban municipalities. While state officials promote these sweeping development bills, local communities are left to absorb the environmental and financial consequences.
When green space is replaced by asphalt, natural drainage disappears. The result?
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Routine Storms Cause Severe Flooding: Standard rainfall now overburdens aging stormwater infrastructure.
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Increased Costs for Local Homeowners: Property damage, insurance hikes, and infrastructure repairs strain family budgets.
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Erosion of Local Autonomy: Municipalities are forced to accommodate major multi-family projects without state support for roads, sewers, or drainage upgrades.
Assemblyman Auth has consistently opposed top-down development bills that disregard the real-world impact on local neighborhoods.
Standing Up for Local Communities
“Trenton needs to stop forcing high-density housing on our towns and start protecting our communities,” Auth emphasized. Protecting suburban neighborhoods requires sound planning, infrastructure investment, and respecting the limits of local environment and land use.
Assemblyman Robert Auth continues to stand side-by-side with Mayor Ghassali and regional leaders to push for responsible land-use policies that prioritize taxpayers, flood mitigation, and community safety over unchecked expansion.
Get Involved and Make Your Voice Heard
Local government works best when community members take action. Here is how you can support responsible planning in your neighborhood:
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Share this update to raise awareness about local overdevelopment and flooding risks.
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Engage with local officials to stay informed on upcoming planning and zoning decisions.
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Vote in November to support leaders who stand up for local control, community safety, and infrastructure protection.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
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#RobertAuth#MikeGhassali#BergenCounty#MontvaleNJ#Overdevelopment#NJPolitics#StormwaterManagement#LocalNews#TrentonNJ
Nothing to worry about folks, we can blame everything on “climate change”, that pavement has nothing to do with the flooding.