Robbinsville Successful in Battling Aqua NJ Rate Hike
Saturday, July 12th, 2008Robbinsville and Hamilton townships scored a victory against a proposed increase in water rates by Aqua New Jersey Friday when a settlement was reached that will allow the water company to only increase rates by 16.4% versus the original plan’s proposed 28%. Under the original rate increase proposal, the average consumer’s bill would have increased from a yearly $394 to $519, however under the new terms the exact rate was not established.
Robbinsville used a $7500 “contribution” from Matrix Development Corp to hire a lawyer to battle the water company. Matrix Development is the owner of several large warehouses in Robbinsville near the Turnpike, and has a large sprinkler system which would have been greatly impacted by any rate increases.
The settlement also eliminated a proposed distribution system improvement charge that would have permitted the water company to increase rates by up to 5% without having to first get state approval. The offical approval for the rate change was supposed to go before the NJ Board of Public Utilities yesterday.
Source: nj.com
Aqua New Jersey has proposed a rate hike which would cost residents an extra $116.60 per year on average. Both Mayor David Fried of Robbinsville and Mayor John Bencivengo of Hamilton have publicly opposed the 28% hike saying it places an unfair burden on about 45,000 residents. Mayor Fried said water rates lead to tax increases because municipalities and taxpayer-funded fire departments must also pay to use the water. Both mayors said they have contacted an administrative law judge who is reviewing the rate case before the