Commissioners recently approved an ordinance lowering the water rate by 15 percent for eligible senior citizens and the disabled.
by Jen Samuel, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — Commissioners recently approved an ordinance lowering the water rate by 15 percent for eligible senior citizens and the disabled.
Bordentown City Mayor Joseph Malone III said at the Nov. 18 meeting that the commissioners, who approved the ordinance unanimously, had been working on the measure for months.
The City of Bordentown Water Department provides water to Bordentown Township. The discount is available for both qualifying city and township residents.
”For seniors it’s tough out there,” Mayor Malone said when the measure was first introduced in October. “This will help.”
The new water rate for eligible seniors and disabled citizens is pending a 20-day review process, which ends Dec. 11.
While December water bills have already gone out, water bills issued in January will reflect the new water rate for those who apply, according to City Clerk Grace Archer.
Specifically, water bills issued on Jan. 1, due Feb. 1, will be affected by the discount water rate, she said.
Residents interested in determining their eligibility should contact the City of Bordentown Water Department. The city is also mailing forms to those already receiving reductions on their property taxes.
To contact the City of Bordentown Water Department, call 609-298-2121, ext. 16.
Residents in Bordentown City and Bordentown Township must meet specific income requirements for eligibility, as previously reported in The Register News.
The mayor said the requirements fall under state guidelines based on property tax relief.
Previously, in February the city water rate increased by approximately 20 percent, adding an average charge of $12.58 per quarter for Bordentown residential usage.
The current water rate for residential customers is $27.85 with a service charge of $2.80 per 1,000 gallons for first 24,000 gallons and $3 for the remainder, according to officials.
The increase was in response to upkeep needs of the city utility plant as well as to offset the impending closure of the Ocean Spray plant on Park Street, as previously reported.
The facility, which employs approximately 250 people, is set to relocate to Upper Macungie, Pennsylvania, when its new multimillion facility is completed.
However, the LeHigh Valley project has seen delays, paving room for the Bordentown City plant to remain open albeit temporarily.
”They are on the slow ramp down now and every month they are going to use less and less water,” said Deputy James Mayor Lynch in October.
Prior to the impending shut down, the plant had processed more than one million gallons of water per day, as previously reported.
The city water utility company also provides bulk service to Fieldsboro.
Also at the Nov. 18 meeting Mayor Lynch delivered the police report, stating that between Oct. 21 and Nov. 18 there were there ambulance calls, 17 animal complaints, four drug arrests, seven criminal mischief incidents and one incident of driving under the influence.
There were also two residential burglaries reported in Bordentown City, nine warrant arrests, 67 accidents and 472 “miscellaneous” incidents.

