League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes
Lyme Disease Consensus
March 2000
The League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes acknowledges that Lyme Disease is
prevalent in New Jersey and that Lyme Disease is indeed a problem for many
residents in Mountain Lakes. Given our current environment and level of
understanding of this disease, there exists a range of actions that can and
should be taken within the community in the areas of education about, and
prevention of, Lyme Disease. These actions should be targeted to enhance
awareness of symptoms of the disease, and to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
The League encourages the Borough Council, Board of Education, and Morris County
to support them in this process, and recommends the following action by the
identified groups:
A. Role of Borough Council:
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Form a Lyme Disease Committee This committee, working in conjunction
with the Board of Health, would be responsible for coordinating the various
forms of community education and prevention discussed below, as well as keeping
abreast of current research.
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Conduct drag tests Drag tests would help the Borough to assess the
magnitude of the problem by quantifying where and to what extent there are
infected ticks. The League strongly recommends that these be carried out this
fall on the beaches, parks, playing fields, hiking trails, selected wooded
Borough property, and even a sampling of some private yards. These drag tests
should be done by professionals experienced in this procedure.
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Disseminate ongoing information to the community on an ongoing basis As
part of educating the public on Lyme Disease awareness and prevention, the League
suggests the following: including seasonal Lyme Disease information in the Borough
newsletter and Home & School Bulletin, a mailing of Lyme Disease brochures to all
households, putting information in the proposed Newcomers Packets, including
links on the Borough web page to Lyme Disease web sites, and placing Lyme tick
warming signs in public places around town where ticks might be present.
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Maintain Borough properties for better tick control A number of measures
can be taken to minimize the number of ticks in the public use areas of Borough
property. These include: pruning trees, removing leaf litter accumulations, and
clearing underbrush.
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Coordinate with children’s programs in Mountain Lakes Encourage
preschools, private schools, summer camps, recreation programs, and the YMCA
to follow similar guidelines regarding property maintenance and individual protection.
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Keep abreast of current research There are continual developments in
the area of Lyme disease. Example of some areas of research that the League
encourages pursuit of are deer feeding stations and organic alternatives to
pesticide control.
B. Role of the Board of Education:
League members support an ongoing program to increase the awareness of Lyme
Disease in the schools. The program would address not only the school
nurses and teachers, but also include informing children and parents.
School ground maintenance was also a major concern. Some ideas on
implementing education and maintenance are:
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Train school nurses The League recommends in-service training
including updated information on tick removal and recognition of the symptoms
of Lyme Disease for all school nurses.
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Train teachers A Lyme Disease video shown at a faculty meeting could
help focus teacher training on an understanding of the symptoms of Lyme Disease
and how to work with children who have these symptoms.
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Health education aimed at the students One idea is that the school
nurse might provide Lyme Disease awareness and prevention education by visiting
the health class.
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Implement a new school policy on proper student attire When there is
to be a planned activity in the woods, send home notes to parents advising that
students dress in appropriate attire. This is similar to the school policy of
sending home notes recommending sunscreen and hats on Field Day.
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Conduct drag tests on school property and the woods adjoining school
grounds These are recommended for the same reasons as outlined above for
the Borough.
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Maintain school grounds for better tick control Some ideas included
gravel borders, investigation of organic methods of tick control, and ensuring
that there are no large accumulations of leaf litter.
C. Role of the League of Women Voters:
Although the League recognizes the limited time and resources of its
members, the consensus at the meetings was that the League could play
an important role in the above suggestions by sharing information with
various town organizations and aid in kick-starting the recommended
Borough Lyme Disease Committee. The League initially could get
involved in the following ways:
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Update The League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes 1995 consensus on
Leaves and Brush
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Share information with other organizations within Mountain Lakes
(AAUW, Seniors, Home & School Association, etc.)
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Publish at least the first seasonal Lyme Disease article in the
H&S Bulletin
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Obtain an appropriate video for teacher training
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Share information with the Morris County Interleague Organizations This
effort may heighten awareness among other League and encourage their action
locally, and ultimately lead to county-wide action, grants, etc.
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Send out tick information in the fall fund-drive letter
D. Role of theCounty:
At the county level, the consensus is that the League, with support from
Borough Council, would urge the county to address the Lyme Disease problem
by the following actions:
- Research the extent of infected infestation
in Morris County Deer control becomes a major issue here. In
addition, the League recommends that a drag test be conducted in
the Tourne.
- Sharing information among towns
- Pursuing grants