The West Windsor Township Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the 23 percent rate increase New Jersey American Water Company is seeking to impose on its customers, which has to be approved first by the state Board of Public Utilities.##M:[more]##
The resolution, passed May 5, calls the 23 percent rate increase “another assault on the working families and retirees of West Windsor and our state,” citing reduced municipal aid and other factors that have already “exacerbated the property tax problem.” The resolution states that of the townships’ 26,”000 residents, the “vast majority are provided public water utility services by New Jersey Water Company Inc.”
The water company has filed a petition for approval of the increased tariff rates and charges for water and sewer service with the Board of Public Utilities, which regulates rates for public water utility services. The company has cited consolidation in the water service industry as reasons for the increase. The township council pointed out in the resolution, though, that the increase would give the company over $120 million in new revenues.
Council President Will Anklowitz, who had sent letters to hundreds of residents informing them of the open mic session earlier in the night and urging them to support the council’s opposition of the water rate increases, said that many residents had since contacted him about the proposed rate increases — so much so that they actually filled his answering machine. He said a $120 million profit to the water company is “a large amount of money, no matter which way you slice it.”
Residents in attendance also spoke out against the proposed rates. One resident of the Mews at Princeton Junction on Meadow Road said her water bills are already pretty high. She said she moved to her apartment in 2006 because she wanted to get her students into the school system here. Since then, she has paid almost $200 quarterly for water, and in January, her water bill was $400, she said, adding that she paid less for water when she owned her home. But the proposed increase in rates worried her, she said. “It’s a hardship to pay more for water,” she said.
Birchwood Court resident Fred Feus said he has followed the issue for a long time, and suggested the proposed rate increases may be to help fund the company’s purchase of the Trenton Water Works.
Hathaway Drive resident Sam Greco said when he moved into his house in 1971, he installed a well for drinking water. He said most of his water bill consists of infrastructure costs when he only uses “just a few drops” of the water.
Board of Public Utilities Commissioner and West Windsor resident Christine Bator, who attended the meeting, said she could not discuss the case because she would eventually have to vote on the matter, but described the process for residents. She said American Water filed the petition in January for the rate increases, and there have been public hearings around the state as part of the board’s process in determining if the rate increase are warranted. The last of those public meetings was in Bridgewater on May 6, she said. The matter now heads to the state Office of Administrative Law, and then heads to the Board of Public Utilities to make a decision. She told residents they could write to the two entities to submit their comments. “If you have anything to say about this, you will be heard,” she said.
In other business during the meeting, the council also introduced an ordinance that would allow the municipal court judge to impose penalties for violating township ordinances to the maximum extent provided. Under state law, the maximum penalties for violating municipal ordinances include imprisonment for up to 90 days, fines up to $2,”000, or a period of community service up to 90 days. Currently, the maximum fine is $1,”250.
