Bridgewater Introduces Sewer Rate Increase
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Sewer rates look to be increasing for the next two years for Bridgewater residents.The Township Council introduced an ordinance at its May 23 meeting to revise its sewer fees and payment schedule. The Council approved the introduction except for Filipe Pedroso who said he wanted to wait until the budget was submitted before making a decision.The ordinance includes an increase for any new hookup connection to the sanitary sewerage system from $4,539 for a single-family dwelling or unit to $4,765.95.The sewer rate and charge effective Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, would increase by $12 from $472 to $484. The first half of the annual sewer fee will be due on the first business day of August and the second half due on the first business day of October. An additional $12 would also be added to the 2025 sewer rate to increase from $484 to $496."For context purposes, we are talking about a 5 percent increase over a two-and-a-half-year period. Certainly, a sizable portion of that is a pass through expense from the sewage authority. Certainly, it pains all of us anytime we have to increase a fee. But in this case, a 5 percent increase over a two-and-a-half-year period seems to be very modest," said Councilman Michael Kirsh.Mayor Matthew Moench noted that the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority(SRVSA) sets a payment schedule which accounts for just about half of the Township's sewer budget.Half of the sewer budget "goes to paying the charges that they charge us. We don’t control that," said Moench of SRVSA.Additionally moving foward, to avoid having to go back and amend the ordinance each time, the revision includes that any future increase made by the SRVSA would be applied to the sewer rate beginning on Jan. 1 of the year thereafter.The adjustments to the rate take into account the Township's plans for "significant equipment purchases equivalent to $900,000," said Township Administrator Michael Pappas.Those plans include rebuilding a pump station and replacing two jet vac trucks."Every day, 24 hours a day our residents are counting on our sewer system to work. And if it doesn't work there are significant consequences in one's home and I think it's something we can't take a chance on," said Council President Timothy Ring. "It is not something we want to raise pricing… but it is important we maintain the system."Council Vice President Howard Norgalis reminded residents that "this is not a sewer tax, this is a sewer utility payment.""It's no different from your garbage or electric or your gas. In this particular case, we happen to be the intermediary to pay the bill but this is not a tax this is a utility," said Norgalis.A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance will be on June 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal courtroom.See the introduced ordinance below: 11a by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd >Have a news tip? Email [email protected] article Bridgewater Introduces Sewer Rate Increase appeared first on Bridgewater, NJ Patch.
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