Burden would fall on actual sewer users to the benefit of those on septic systems.
By: Gwen Runkle
WEST WINDSOR Township residents with septic systems would no longer have to pay a share of the township’s sewer debt every year if the Township Council approves an ordinance introduced Monday.
The ordinance, introduced by a 3-2 vote, would remove the township’s sewer debt charge from the municipal tax bill and apply it only to sewer user fees.
Council President Alison Miller and council members Jackie Alberts and Rae Roeder voted in favor of introducing the measure; council members Kristin Appelget and Charles Morgan opposed it.
Ms. Miller, Ms. Alberts and Ms. Roeder said it is unfair for septic system users to continue to help pay down the approximately $1.2 million debt incurred by the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority when it installed sewer infrastructure more than 25 years ago.
"It’s a matter of equity," said Ms. Miller. "The purpose of everyone paying for the infrastructure has been because of the assumption that someday everyone could hook up, but today that is not the case. Septic users have paid their fair share."
About 21 percent of the township’s residents, or approximately 1,490 homes, use septic systems, according to Ms. Alberts.
Ms. Appelget and Mr. Morgan voted against introduction because they contend the township has not done sufficient financial analysis to determine the fiscal implications of the measure.
"We may have something to look at and change here," Ms. Appelget said. "But I’m not sure we aren’t just shifting a greater tax burden to our residents."
A public hearing on the ordinance is expected to be held May 20 when Joanne Louth, chief financial officer for the township, is expected to present an official financial analysis.
But according to Ms. Alberts’ preliminary work, the measure could reduce the municipal tax rate by about 2 cents for the rest of this year and even more in future years. But the sewer user fee would increase.
Ms. Alberts anticipates the measure would still keep West Windsor’s sewer user rate as the lowest of neighboring municipalities in the Stony Brook authority’s system.
If the new sewer user fee includes Stony Brook debt service, the new sewer user rate would be about $2.58 per 100 cubic feet, plus any increases from extra operations and maintenance costs in the municipal budget, she said.
"Princeton Borough pays $4.60 per 100 cubic feet and Princeton Township pays $5.20 per 100 cubic feet," Ms. Alberts said. "Last year, our rate was $1.99 per 100 cubic feet."
And while the burden of paying off the sewer debt may appear to be shifting entirely onto the backs of sewer users, the township plans to make up for money previously paid by septic users by increasing connection fees, she added.
On Monday night the council unanimously adopted an ordinance that increases fees for commercial and residential hookups to the sewer system.
Instead of residents paying a flat $1,000 sewer connection fee, under the new ordinance they would pay 75 cents per square foot of their home along with a minimum $1,000 fee.
Nonresidential property owners would pay 75 cents per square foot of building space in addition to a minimum fee of $2,500.
The Township Council is also expected to introduce a municipal budget on May 20, the tax rate for which is contingent on how the council votes on the sewer user fee ordinance, Ms. Miller said.