Freehold water and sewer rates could rise

[admin]

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071213/NEWS/71213086

FREEHOLD -- Borough property owners may see a jump in their water and sewer bill this spring.

A public hearing will be held Dec. 27 on an ordinance that would raise water and
sewer rates to help cover the rising costs of providing those services to the borough.

"The rates were last adjusted in 1997,'' Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said.

In that time, the budget for water and sewer has risen 25 percent, Bellina said.
Insurance costs have increased more than 300 percent, and the town has spent at least $2.5 million on capital improvements. The town will likely need to spend another $2.5 million over the next five to 10 years to keep the system operational, said Bellina.

Read more on this story in Friday's Asbury Park Press.

[Libyan Sibyl]

I guess they held off from May for this meeting...


Asbury Park Press
Council plans to borrow $350,000
May 10, 2007 Thursday
by NICK PETRUNCIO

The Borough Council has introduced a $350,000 bond ordinance to fund improvements to the Water Treatment Plant and help pay for the acquisition of two vehicles.

The improvements will include the rehabilitation of two wells, the replacement of doors and windows, the installation of a shower stall for workers, manhole rehabilitation and pipe replacement at the Water Works Road facility.

The borough would make a down payment of $17,500 to finance the cost, and the remainder of the $350,000 would be borrowed.

The pumps from the wells, which require rehabilitation every five years or so, will be removed, taken apart, reconditioned and cleaned thoroughly or replaced if necessary, according to Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina. He said the door and window replacement is needed because the water plant is a moist, humid place, and such items wear out more quickly there than in other environments.

In addition to the improvements, the borough is seeking to acquire a street sweeper and a pickup truck. Money from general capital, as well as water and sewer capital, will be earmarked for the sweeper.

The council is expected to hold a public hearing and then vote on the matter at an upcoming regular meeting.

[Libyan Sibyl]

The comments from the audience almost make the rise in the water bill worth the extra money. Wow, was that person planted in the audience or what?

Water rates are tiered so that the more water you use, the more money it costs. Just a reminder when watering the lawn...

I wonder what the average water use is,the mayor said the avg user will pay $7.00 more per month ($84.00 per year).

FREEHOLD — With little fanfare, the Borough Council on Thursday approved higher water and sewer rates.

The average water and sewer bill will increase by about $7 a month under the new rates, Mayor Michael Wilson said.

The changes, which include a jump in usage fees, were implemented to cover the rising costs of providing water and sewer services to the borough, according to the ordinance detailing the new rates.

Nobody opposed the ordinance during its public hearing, though one man asked whether the borough had sought alternative means of funding. One woman came out in support of the council.

"I wanted to come tonight because I think Freehold Borough (water) is really the best," said Lynn Reich of Hance Boulevard. "Our water tastes good, looks good."

And starting this spring, that water will cost more.

The ordinance states that a property owner who uses up to 500 cubic feet of water, for example, will pay 76 cents for each hundred cubic feet consumed. That same property owner now pays 72 cents per every hundred cubic feet used. (A cubic foot equals approximately 7.48 gallons.)

For the next 3,500 cubic feet used, owners currently pay $2.24 per hundred cubic feet. After the increase, the rate will be $2.35 per hundred cubic feet.

The rate tiers will also change. For example, consumers who used more than 500 cubic feet of water are currently charged a higher rate for the next 4,500 cubic feet used, then an even higher rate for the next 20,000 cubic feet and so on.

Now, the borough will charge more for the next 3,500 cubic feet used, the next 11,000 cubic feet and on up to 500,001 and more cubic feet of water consumed.

Sewer rates will also rise, as will additional fees for services such as temporary water use, special water readings, delinquency shutoffs and restoration of service. A $60 fee to restore service after hours has also been added.

The new rates will go into effect for the April billing cycle, Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina has said.

Kim Predham: [phone] or [e-mail]
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071229/NEWS01/712290362/1004/

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Did they water the plant?

How will this affect the cost of doing a load of laundry at our local Laundromats, and who will this cost of living increase impact the most?

[Libyan Sibyl]

ahh, I gotcha, the gentrification of the borough through water rates. Pretty smart. Just like the "gayborhood" idea of Marc's (oops, he erased that one for some reason: freeholdvoice.proboards46.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=anythingfreeholdborough&thread=1192714784&page=1)

Anyway, back to water....

Of course, the question of contracts, bids, etc. should be standard for all jobs, not just "did you do everything you could have done???" to which the obvious answer is a simple "yes."

The other question is why didn't we raise the water rates as the rates rose? I am not alleging a conspiracy, but it would seem to be less painful that way. Is there a reason? I dunno.

Anyway, I would like to thank the mayor for making the water taste exceptionally good. I know that he has been personally involved in making the water not ony taste better, but, as Ms. Reich pointed out, it just looks better too!!! Very clear water, if I do say so myself. (I would bottle it and sell it if the rates didn't just rise. darn!)

[fiberisgoodforyou]

Great water makes great KoolAid!

In Fact, I will ask, through this board, that the council propose a resolution in support of flavoring and carbonating our water (Zero Calorie of course)!

All this talk of water makes me think of Dr. Strangelove....
General Jack D. Ripper:
"A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That’s the way your hard-core Commie works. Now why don't you just take it easy, Group Captain, and please make me a drink of grain alcohol and rainwater, and help yourself to whatever you'd like"

So... As a sign of Protest (or just, a sign of beeing in good spirits) , I ask all Boro residents to attend the next Council meeting with either a Bottle of Rain water and/or a Bottle of Woodgrain.

Happy New Years!

[Libyan Sibyl]

admin said:

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071213/NEWS/71213086

FREEHOLD -- Borough property owners may see a jump in their water and sewer bill this spring.

A public hearing will be held Dec. 27 on an ordinance that would raise water and
sewer rates to help cover the rising costs of providing those services to the borough.

"The rates were last adjusted in 1997,'' Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said.

In that time, the budget for water and sewer has risen 25 percent, Bellina said.
Insurance costs have increased more than 300 percent, and the town has spent at least $2.5 million on capital improvements. The town will likely need to spend another $2.5 million over the next five to 10 years to keep the system operational, said Bellina.

Read more on this story in Friday's Asbury Park Press.

BY THE WAY, HERE IS THE REST OF THAT STORY.

Water and sewer bills could be on the way up

By KIM PREDHAM
FREEHOLD BUREAU

Borough property owners may see a jump in their water and sewer bill this spring.

A public hearing will be held Dec. 27 on an ordinance that would raise water and sewer rates to help cover the rising costs of providing those services to the borough.

"The rates were last adjusted in 1997," Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said.

In that time, the budget for water and sewer has risen 25 percent, Bellina said. Insurance costs have increased more than 300 percent, and the town has spent at least $2.5 million on capital improvements. The town likely will need to spend another $2.5 million over the next five to 10 years to keep the system operational, Bellina said.

"Unfortunately, some people probably aren't going to be too happy about (the increase)," Councilman Jaye Sims said. But, he said, "You would have to increase (the rates) at some point."

If the ordinance passes, a property owner who uses up to 500 cubic feet of water would have to pay 76 cents for each hundred cubic feet consumed. That same property owner now pays 72 cents per every hundred cubic feet used. (A cubic foot equals approximately 7.48 gallons).

For the next 3,500 cubic feet used, owners currently pay $2.24 per hundred cubic feet. After the increase, the rate would be $2.35 per hundred cubic feet.

The rate tiers would also change. For example, consumers who used more than 500 cubic feet of water were charged a higher rate for the next 4,500 cubic feet used, then an even higher rate for the next 20,000 cubic feet and so on. Now, the borough has proposed charging more for the next 3,500 cubic feet used, the next 11,000 cubic feet and on up to 500,001 and more cubic feet of water consumed.

Sewer rates would also rise under the new ordinance.

The local sewer rate is determined now by multiplying the water rate by .2595. If the ordinance is passed, the water rate would be multiplied by .27.

The rate for Manasquan River Regional Sewer Authority expenses, a third part of the water and sewer bill, is now determined by multiplying the water rate by 1.53. The new multiplier would be 1.54.

The state Board of Public Utilities estimates the average person uses 100 gallons of water (about 13 cubic feet) every day. A family of four, then, consumes 36,000 gallons of water (just over 4,800 cubic feet) every three months.

That family of four would currently receive a water and sewer bill of about $301 every quarter. Under the new proposal, that family would pay approximately $23 more for the quarter.

The ordinance also increases the minimum charge for temporary water use from $50 to $75. The fee for special water readings would change to $30, up from $15. A shut-off charge for delinquency, now $20, would become $30. Restoration of service would cost $30, up from the current $20. And a $60 fee for restoring service after normal business hours has been added, according to the ordinance.

If adopted, the new rates would go into effect for the April billing cycle, Bellina said.

[fiberisgoodforyou]

"Board of Public Utilities" ....

Is the Boro not required to make an application to raise rates througth this state board, and should there also be a need to have public hearings???

Just Curious about the process.

[Libyan Sibyl]

Recent water news from Howell....


Residents resist requested rate hike for water
New Jersey American Water hopes for 23.35% increaseBy Michelle Gladden • FREEHOLD BUREAU • January 15, 2008


HOWELL — The 23.35 percent rate increase that New Jersey American Water hopes to be granted from the state Board of Public Utilities is meeting fierce opposition from many township residents and officials.

"The requested rate increase is totally unacceptable," Mayor Joseph DiBella said. "Howell residents already pay exceptionally high rates for their water."

The utility company filed the request Monday, citing investment in its infrastructure and an increased cost of doing business as reasons for the rate increase.

"Replacing aging infrastructure and improving our supply capacity and water production facilities to meet increasing demand are the main drivers of this necessary rate increase," John Begelow, president of the water company, said in a prepared statement. "Even with the proposed increase, our customers will pay less than one penny per gallon for water service."

But Howell residents, particular those in age-restricted developments, say they are already struggling to pay the current rates.

Robert Nicastro of Streambank Drive said he is more concerned with how the rate increase will affect sewer rates.

"It's not a level playing field when it comes to sewer charges," Nicastro said. "We're paying $9-plus for sewer charges per 1,000 gallons."

"We are all upset about this," said Barbara Dixel, a resident of The Villages.

"I use less water now but pay a heck of a lot more for it," Villages resident Jim DeVita said.

In the past, residents worried about rising water bills have turned to showering in the clubhouse and limiting the amount of times they flush, Dixel said.

"Most of us are paying over $200 per quarter for water," Dixel said.

If approved, the average customer using 21,000 gallons of water per quarter would go from paying $106.20 to $145.71, a $39.51 increase.

"We're paying condo fees, a water bill for each quarter, food, car insurance, health insurance, an electric bill," Dixel said. "They are making us suffer, and we are the people who can least afford to suffer. We have reached our senior years � allow us to live in dignity before we die."

Dixel said the age-restricted community plans to do what it can to prevent the rate increase.

"We are going to come out fighting way before the hearings, because it's not fair," she said.

The state's Board of Public Utilities will make the final decision regarding the rate increase, before which a series of hearings will be held.

"As mayor I'm going to do everything I can to oppose this," DiBella said. "It's my expectation that the council will oppose this rate increase."

Two years ago the water company requested a 23 percent rate hike. The BPU and state Rate Counsel granted a 12.5 percent increase. The company also raised rates by 9.85 percent in 2004.

New Jersey American serves more than 2.6 million customers and has contracts with municipalities through which it serves another 207,000 people. A rate increase would apply to the company's entire service area.

Michelle Gladden: [phone] or [e-mail]
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/NEWS01/801150345/1004/

[Libyan Sibyl]

Here is something interesting... Water and sewer were traditionally profitable for the borough, but instead of putting the profits into maintaining the system, it seems it was used to offset spending. Now, they just cry, "rates go up, don't you know." Well, perhaps they didn't have to. Typical government...

This year’s water and sewer budget, also introduced at the March 1 council meeting, is $5.06 million, up about $103,000 from 2003.

However, the borough’s water and sewer operation historically has been a money-maker. In 2003, total water and sewer revenues were $5,243,196 — $286,465 more than was anticipated.

As a matter of fact, over the years, borough officials have transferred funds from the water and sewer surplus to help offset increases in the municipal budget. This water and sewer surplus added as revenue to the regular municipal budget this year is anticipated at $400,000.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2004/0310/Front_page/015.html

[novillero]

Sorry dud, no one cares about wasting money...

[admin]

libyansybil said:

Here is something interesting... Water and sewer were traditionally profitable for the borough, but instead of putting the profits into maintaining the system, it seems it was used to offset spending. Now, they just cry, "rates go up, don't you know." Well, perhaps they didn't have to. Typical government...

This year’s water and sewer budget, also introduced at the March 1 council meeting, is $5.06 million, up about $103,000 from 2003.

However, the borough’s water and sewer operation historically has been a money-maker. In 2003, total water and sewer revenues were $5,243,196 — $286,465 more than was anticipated.

As a matter of fact, over the years, borough officials have transferred funds from the water and sewer surplus to help offset increases in the municipal budget. This water and sewer surplus added as revenue to the regular municipal budget this year is anticipated at $400,000.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2004/0310/Front_page/015.html

I do not think the news article provide enough information to form an opinion.

You wrote,


Water and sewer were traditionally profitable for the borough, but instead of putting the profits into maintaining the system, it seems it was used to offset spending. Now, they just cry, "rates go up, don't you know." Well, perhaps they didn't have to. Typical government...

The first question I have is, were the maintenance costs covering the year to year needs which is why we had a surplus? In the event of a surplus, I do not believe the government can just bank it for a rainy day. I could be wrong, but I think it hast to be spent. If the surplus off set any rise in property taxes, I am all for it.

When I read the above articles, it appears to me that some bigger things have popped up that need to be addressed as well as typicla costs of doing business going up.

If people really have a problem with the rise in water bills, then I have a suggestion. If enough people skip their shower for a week before each council meeting, then pack the room, maybe we will get a reduction. Or the council will just make a new ordinance barring stinky people from the inside of borough hall.

[novillero]

The system itself is ancient. The article quoted by LibbySibby says the water and sewer is a "historically... a money-maker." Money maker implies making money...

Bellina's quotes for the reasons for the higher rates are predictable items:
The improvements will include the rehabilitation of two wells, the replacement of doors and windows, the installation of a shower stall for workers, manhole rehabilitation and pipe replacement at the Water Works Road facility.

The question is really, shouldn't any profit have been reinvested back into it. Or do we simply take profits from water and sewer, spend them on other items, and worry about water and sewer when the reckoning day is already on us?

Go back to earlier NT articles, you will see that some politicians had made comments about how old our system is. And I see nothing wrong with allocating money made to upgrades that will be needed later, instead of raising rates. What council did was delay raising taxes in prior years - because they had this surplus - meanwhile 2 things: (1) they boasting about keeping spending down; and (2) they fiddled while the aquaduct burned. Now we have permanent higher water and sewer rates.