It was brought to my attention a few weeks ago that the Middlesex Water Co. (MWC) has filed an application with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to implement a 15.92 percent rate increase. After reviewing this application, it is clear this increase is not warranted and will place an unnecessary financial burden on MWC’s customers.
Included in this paperwork, MWC clearly states that capital improvements, which could actually benefit the company’s many customers by providing better services, were paid for by the rate increase of 9.66 percent that BPU approved last year. The only justification that MWC gives for a rate increase above the yearly cost of inflation is that the company’s "present rates for water service are inadequate to … provide a reasonable return on its investment." In other words, MCW is seeking this rate increase to boost profits, not to provide increased services or improved water service.
If approved, this second rate increase will result in a total 27 percent increase in water prices over a period of two years. Many of the towns served by MWC have a large population of senior citizens who live on fixed incomes and simply cannot afford to cover this increased cost for water. Residents should not be overburdened with yearly rate hikes simply to increase the profit margin of a company.
I have already written to the members of the BPU urging a denial of this application, and I encourage the residents of Edison, Metuchen, Highland Park, Woodbridge, South Plainfield, Carteret, Sayreville, Old Bridge and Marlboro to do the same.
Barbara Buono
Assemblywoman
18th District