Howell to spend $4.2 million for sewers along Route 9
By kathy baratta
Staff Writer
HOWELL — The Township Council has introduced a $4.2 million bond ordinance for sewer installations along Route 9 south.
Mayor Timothy J. Konopka, noting that the sewer installation initiative was an issue that had bipartisan support, said the first phase of the installation would run 8-inch pipe from Lanes Mill Road to the Lakewood boundary and then east to an Ocean County Utilities Authority hookup on Oak Glen Road.
A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for July 21.
Earlier this month, former Zoning Board of Adjustment member Fred Portilla, who opposes the sewer project, asked township officials what other properties would have access to the sewer lines in addition to the 80 or so businesses owners who are expected to have access.
The business owners will pay a special assessment to the township to offset the cost of the $4.2 million bond.
Township Manager Bruce Davis said gravity lines were being installed instead of forced mains in order to restrict residential developers who would face what he called "prohibitive costs" to tie into the lines.
However, if a developer is willing to spend the money, he will be able to use the lines and build residential units, Deputy Mayor Peter Tobasco said.
"Technically they can — but will they?" Tobasco asked. "It’s about the money. You can’t 100 percent stop (residential development), but you can make it a very high improbability."
"We’ve got to realize progress and this is progress," Councilman Joseph M. DiBella said. "This is step one to a larger process regarding planning and zoning."
DiBella said the next Howell master plan will incorporate protections for that area of Route 9.
Portilla was not persuaded to change his opinion, warning, "Once you let the genie out of the bottle, it will be too late."
"You can’t stop development, but you can control it," DiBella responded.