Vote To Raise Sewer Rates Fails Again, and Tempers Flare

A second attempt by the Township Committee to adopt a bill to increase sewer rates went down the drain last night when three members of the governing body voted "no." 

In a surprise during the April 21 meeting, Democrat Larry Fink, who helped advise on the new rate structure with Committeeman Eric Hinds, voted against the bill because he said he had new information since the last meeting that could drive the rate increases even lower.

But Republicans Mayor Patrick Impreveduto and Deputy Mayor Serena DiMaso, reacting to what they perceived as a political move by a Democrat to embarrass incumbent Republicans who are voting for a fee increase in an election year, then joined Fink in voting against the increase and sunk the bill. (Republicans Impreveduto and Rocco Pascucci are running unopposed for their seats in November. Democrats have not announced any candidates.)

Pascucci voted in favor of the increase. Member Eric Hinds was absent. The final vote was 3-1 and so the bill did not pass.

The 5-member Committee has been urgently trying to find consensus on raising rates since the first failed vote on Feb. 17. They need to plug a $300,000 hole in the utility's depleted surplus fund, or face having to resort to substantial layoffs to balance the budget, Pascucci said. Some residents have voiced opposition at public meetings.

But after a heated closed session in the meeting room, during which shouting grew so loud it drew two curious policemen out into the building's lobby to check on the situation, the Republican majority of the Committee agreed to repair the damage and re-introduce and re-advertise the sewer fee schedule, now scheduled for a public hearing and adoption on May 5.  

When the meeting reopened to the public, DiMaso said, "I let my emotions and my disappointment in my fellow Committeeman get the better of me, knowing that it’s the right thing to do for the township. And I let the idea of his politics get in the way, that's why I'll be changing my vote."

Fink voted against re-introducing the ordinance, as published. "I feel very strongly that the rates should not be increased by such an amount," said Fink, 

Fink said his new findings could bring the rates down to $110 for the highest tier, $90 for middle tier and $70 for lower tier users, thanks to the fact that the utility brought in $435,873 more revenue in 2011 than 2010, he said. "I thought, with this addition, it will cover the deficit, and we will still have monies left over for inspections and repair. I'd like to see this at a lower increase. That's why I vote no."

Pascucci followed Fink, and said, "I think it’s purely political. It makes me sick to my stomach." 

Impreveduto, who said he'd spent many hours on the sewer increase issue, could barely mask his aggravation. "Committeeman Fink wholeheartedly, wholeheartedly agreed and supported this," he said, adding he believed Fink voted it down "for no other reason I can see, but for strictly political reasons, because quite obviously, we have our primary coming up and there’s an election in November and Committeeman Fink thinks he will be on the side of the people, a champion of the people..."

The mayor continued:  "I do not support increase to any taxpayer for any reason unless it’s absolutely necessary, and to protect our taxpayers in future, I believe this is what this ordinance does. So with that, I vote in the affirmative."

Residential Users

Current rate

Rate proposed at Feb. 17 meeting (did not pass)

Rate to be re-introduced on May 5 meeting (failed on April 21)

Greater than 12,000 gallons of water usage, per quarter. (1,670 households)

$101.25

$117

$115

Usage between 6,000 and 12,000 gallons of water, per quarter (619 households)

$86.65

$100

$100

Less than 6,000 gallons of water usage, per quarter (846 households)

$67.50

$71.50

$75

Nonresidential Facilities -- including industrial/manufacturing/warehouse facilities, office and research laboratory/offices/commercial retail facilities, public schools, Garden State Parkway (includes Arts Center, Reception Center, State Police Barracks, and Maintenance Office), Hospitals, and Motels -- will pay a quarterly fixed charge on the number of equivalent dwelling units times $100, up from $70.