By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY The decision seemed to be a no-brainer for the Township Committee, which unanimously adopted an ordinance on Feb. 21 that would keep sewer rates flat for the first time in five years.
It was a small victory for the township, which has seen sewer service rates consistently rise since it moved to a usage-based system in 2009. However, that custom ceased with the new ordinance, which keeps rates flat at $8.93 per cubic feet (CCF) of water per household or business.
Folks will also continue to pay a $256 base fee to cover billing, administration and debt service.
The only increase would be for the capacity charge, or the one-time new user fee. Under the ordinance, homeowners or businesses that sign up will now pay $37 a $2 increase.
The committee also unanimously passed another ordinance that hikes up Kid Connection tuition for the Before School, Half-Day Preschool and Kindergarten Enrichment programs. The Before School Program fees will increase by 5 percent, bringing two, three and five day options to $649, $945 and $1,476 respectively.
The Half-Day Preschool Program would increase by 3 percent, putting the two, three and five day options at $2,062, $2,443 and $3,369. Kindergarten Enrichment would go up 2.5 percent, making the new fees for two, three and five day options $3,020, $3,550 and $4,966.
The changes take into account the demand for the programs, prices of competitors and consistent declining enrollment in younger students.
”We still have one of the lowest fees; the fees are still well below surrounding private nursery schools,” said Township Administrator Donato Nieman. “Plus we have certified teachers, while they do not.”
On the flip side, the current pilot lunch program will become permanent. This means the Half-Day Preschool Program would be extended an extra hour and 15 minutes for no additional costs.
Resident Robert Kress voiced concerns, after he said he heard there was a waiting list for the Kid Connection program. However, Mr. Nieman dispelled any such rumors.
”We are able to meet our demands,” he said. “We’re in good shape.”
In other news, the Township Committee set the date for the first information session regarding the state Energy Aggregation program for 7 p.m. at town hall on March 14. The open forum intends to impart knowledge and information to residents about how the Energy Aggregation program works should the township choose to participate.
Since last year, the committee has been eyeing the program, which could potentially reduce electric bills of homeowners by essentially bargaining for a cheaper, third party power supplier.
It would be able to shop around for the cheapest power supply and most protective contract for residents, while still using Public Service Energy and Gas (PSE&G) as its delivery company.
Right now, consulting firm Gabel Associates is seeing what kind of electric price bids it could negotiate on behalf of Montgomery homeowners. Once the committee evaluates the bids, it will decide whether to accept the contract and enter the program.
”If we go forward, there will probably definitely be another public meeting,” said Mayor Trzaska. “Once we actually have the bid, we have all the details for everyone and decide the best time (for the second meeting).”

