By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SAYREVILLE — The borough took a big step on March 28 in its attempt to control its water supply.
The Borough Council approved $2.8 million in bonding to outright purchase the Duhernal water system. The borough previously owned one-third of the system, with DuPont and Ashland owning the rest.
The name “Duhernal” comes from the three industrial original owners of the system, DuPoint, Hercules and National Lead. Duhernal started as a cooperative to ensure the three companies would have water access. Wells are located throughout Middlesex County.
The move was one that pleased Barbara Kilcommons, who was the only resident to speak at the public hearing on the bond at the meeting.
“Usually I’m very critical; I think this is a very good move for the Borough of Sayreville to purchase this, and this is money well spent,” she said.
Mayor Kennedy O’Brien agreed with Kilcommons and thanked Borough Engineer David Samuel for his work on the deal.
Samuel explained that Sayreville went into the deal for Duhernal for a one-third share in 1994, a time when the borough’s water demand was nearly half of what it is now. As demand has increased, so has the need to access more water.
He added that while the deal will help keep the rates under control, he acknowledged that infrastructure improvement costs will be required to keep Duhernal operational.
However, he said that overall, it is a very good move for the borough.
“This is going to position Sayreville like no other water utility in the state,” Samuel said.
“This is really going to be a benefit for the town,” added Councilman Art Rittenhouse, who said after Samuel’s comments that he met with the Duhernal staff about the changeover in ownership. “We’re really looking forward to a smooth operation, a smooth conversion.”
The deal is not completely set yet, Business Administrator Dan Frankel explained after the meeting. The final cost of the system is still in negotiations, but Frankel said it should be covered by the bond. He commended Samuel and his firm CME Associates on their work on the project.
“I think it’s just a really big asset for the town to take over at a very advantageous time,” he said.
Frankel also said the borough will be taking on Duhernal’s administrative and staffing costs.
“When you’re running a water system, obviously there are costs,” Frankel said.
Frankel said residents would see no change to their water and sewer billing processes as a result of the deal.
At the meeting, the bond ordinance was unanimously approved.