Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority recently alerted the borough that there is an "issue" of an increase in fat, oils and grease discharged to the Hopewell treatment plant
By Aleen Crispino
Hopewell Borough Council is studying the possible need for an ordinance to require that grease traps be installed and maintained in restaurants and other public establishments where fried foods are prepared.
The Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority (SBRSA) recently alerted the borough that there is an "issue" of an increase in fat, oils and grease discharged to the Hopewell treatment plant, said Councilman Schuyler Morehouse at Monday’s council meeting. Councilman Morehouse also is member of the SBRSA board of directors.
The treatment plant is located off Aunt Molly Road in Hopewell Township.
Councilman David Mackie described the function of a grease trap. "It’s a concrete box," he said. "You have water flowing in," and the oil and water are separated.
After the borough was made aware of the problem by the sewerage authority, the Board of Health visited local restaurants and investigated whether there were grease traps in place, said Borough Administrator/Clerk Michele Hovan. In addition, a letter was sent to borough business owners, requesting their voluntary cooperation. A log was created for each establishment, noting the size of the grease trap and the type of food cooked, she added.
"It seems that these ordinances will put a very substantial load on restaurateurs in the borough who are dealing with older buildings," said Councilman Morehouse. "We want to be restaurant-friendly. We don’t want to put small businesses out of business."
He also raised the related issue of whether the borough wanted to encourage more restaurants to open in the borough, and proposed the formation of a subcommittee to study grease trap ordinances passed by other municipalities and to make a recommendation to council.
Pennington Borough has a grease trap ordinance. Where the trap is installed and the size of the trap are the key determinants of its cost. What size trap would be required depends on a formula that takes into account how many seats the business has and how many hours it would be open, a Pennington official said.
The Hopewell Borough Board of Health is studying the information it has gathered so far and will make its own recommendations to council, said Ms. Hovan, to help council members decide whether compliance should be made voluntary or mandatory. Restaurant owners in the borough are now aware of the problem, she said.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, Borough Engineer Dennis O’Neal reported that road and drainage improvements to East Prospect Street between Seminary Avenue and Hopewell Park will begin shortly after the last day of school on June 21. Plans include the construction of curbs, parking spaces and sidewalks, as well as landscaping.
Council has appropriated $300,000 for the project and authorized the issuance of $285,000 in municipal bonds or notes. The borough has applied for a grant from the state Department of Transportation, which it expects will cover half that amount.

