Topic: Trenton’s 40 percent water rate increase and the pending sale of a portion of Trenton Water Works to New Jersey American Water Co.
By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
Hopewell Township Municipal Attorney Steve Goodell will continue meeting with the municipal attorneys of Ewing, Lawrence and Hamilton townships on the topic of Trenton’s 40 percent water rate increase and the pending sale of a portion of Trenton Water Works to New Jersey American Water Co. (NJAWC).
The rate increase is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1, Mr. Goodell said Monday night.
At Monday’s Township Committee meeting, officials voted 4-0 to authorize Mr. Goodell to continue his talks with the other three municipal attorneys on the issue. One of the issues being discussed, Mr. Goodell said, is whether to sue Trenton over the rate increase.
”It’s an issue that needs to be addressed, to ensure that the interests of Hopewell Township residents are being protected,” Committeeman Michael Markulec said.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Township officials are gearing up to take the Trenton City Council to court over the ordinance adopted earlier this month that raises water rates in Trenton and the four adjacent townships.
Following an hourlong closed session Sept. 16, Lawrence officials authorized Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun and Municipal Attorney Kevin Nerwinski to contact their counterparts in Ewing, Hamilton and Hopewell townships to explore a possible lawsuit.
There is a 45-day time limit to challenge an ordinance in state Superior Court, Mr. Krawczun said. If the four townships agree to press a lawsuit, it would have to be filed by Oct. 19.
”Mr. Nerwinski will contact the attorneys for the other townships to coordinate efforts and to determine what legal position should be (taken) and how that may be applied to a challenge to the rate ordinance,” Mr. Krawczun said last week.
”They will determine whether their argument has legal merit,” he said. “On what grounds can you challenge the ordinance, what is the purpose of the challenge and the potential result of the challenge will be discussed by the attorneys.”
Users of Trenton water in Hopewell, Ewing, Lawrence and Hopewell townships will get the rate increase along with users in the city itself. Hopewell Township users of Trenton water include residents of Brandon Farms, Hopewell Grant, Wellington Manor and other developments in the southern section of the township.
Trenton wants to sell the portion of its water system that lies outside the city limits to NJAWC for $100 million. That proposed sale requires the approval of the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which is reviewing the matter now.
Both the rate increase and proposed sale have been vigorously opposed by officials and residents of all four townships using Trenton water.
Ewing Mayor Jack Ball and other opponents have said that, if the sale goes through, the overall rate increase is likely to be at least 100 percent. Officials have said that the 40 percent rate increase would raise the average customer’s monthly water bill from $75 to $105. The water rate hike does not need approval from the state BPU, because the rate has been equalized among the five municipalities.
In August, state Sen. Shirley Turner joined the mayors in opposing the sale.
”The proposed sale is unacceptable and would have dire consequences for the members of this community,” Sen. Turner said. “I am appalled that such a sale is even being considered during a time when so many area residents are struggling to keep up with New Jerseys high property taxes and cost of living.”
In addition, a local grass-roots organization, FLOW (Friends of Local Control of Our Water) recently was formed to oppose the proposed sale and rate increases. FLOW is led by township residents Morton Rosenthal, of Wellington Manor; and Bruce Gunther, of Brandon Farms.
TO GET more information from FLOW, send an e-mail to [email protected] with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Residents also can contact Mr. Rosenthal or Mr. Gunther via e-mail to [email protected].
Lawrence Ledger Staff Writer Lea Kahn contributed to this account.

