The SandPaper, July 25, 2012 Vol. 38 No. 29

Page 24

The SandPaper/Wednesday, July 25, 2012

24

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A Sudden Increase In Water-Sewer Bill Outrages Residents

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tafford Township’s water and sewer rates have gone up, and people who received a $130 sewer bill and an $85 water bill want answers. Township Administrator James Moran read a letter of explanation that was sent to every township resident, at a cost of $7,000. In 2009, the town implemented a surcharge, based on usage calculations, to address the cost of bonds that were a remnant of the old municipal utilities authority. Today the town continues to struggle to pay down $75 million in bonded indebtedness associated with the installation of water and sewer infrastructure during the last 10 years. The town officials concluded a rate increase would be necessary. “It was not a choice we made easily,â€? Jack Reynolds Moran said. In fact, he said, it was a VOCAL: Gov. Chris Christie will pay a visit to Bayview two-month-long, daily struggle. But to Park in Brant Beach this Thursday afternoon. bring the water and sewer budget into balance, it was decided that the sewer rate would increase $20 per quarter, or $80 per year, and the water base rate would increase by $25, to be offset by the elimination of billing for the ďŹ rst 14,000 gallons of water used. However, because the changes could ov. Chris Christie will address local ofďŹ cials, not be implemented until the state apresidents and visitors from the Bayview Park proved the municipal budget on June 6, pavilion in Brant Beach at 3 p.m. this Thursresidents have been retroactively billed for the ďŹ rst and second quarters of 2012. day, July 26, Mayor Joseph Mancini announced at last The retroactive component will end in week’s Long Beach Township Board of Commissioners October, when the fourth quarter bills meeting. “I suggest everyone show up and voice your conwill go out. The delay also defeated the town’s intention to forgive the ďŹ rst cerns,â€? the mayor noted. Mancini said Bayview Park will have room for 14,000 gallons starting in January, so it will take effect starting in July. The about 50 individuals to sit, with space for approxiaverage resident uses 14,000 gallons mately another 100 people to gather and observe. The governor has visited other coastal towns reof water per quarter, Moran said. That cently, including Manasquan, as part of his “Endless person will see a reduction of $18.20 from the $25 base rate for the rest of the Summer of Tax Relief: A Conversation at the Jersey year. He said everyone pays and beneďŹ ts Shoreâ€? tour. As explained in a news release, Christie equally because the base rate increases is calling for bipartisan leadership to bring tax relief are driven by the costs to upkeep and to state residents. Bayview Park is located at 68th Street and Long update infrastructure, in a way that was Beach Boulevard. —J.K.-H. most palatable to the most people. “The increase is designed to stabilize the utilities’ ďŹ nancial foundation,â€? he said, and is “the only responsible choice we from other sources.â€? He added that Stafford’s rates are still below could make at this point. “Going forward,â€? he continued, “any and those of many other Ocean County communities, all increases will be based on an annual rate while maintaining the highest level of service, as analysis of the needs of the system, combined evidenced by the town’s Groundwater Guardian Continued on Page 60 with a conservative view of anticipated revenue

Gov. Chris Christie To Visit Bayview Park

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