Fate of Somerville’s sewer system could be left to voters
SOMERVILLE – The county seat may be selling its century-old sewer system.
Once the 2-square-mile borough receives bids for the system by June 14, officials will study the proposals and decide whether to place a referendum on the November ballot for borough voters to approve the sale, Mayor Dennis Sullivan said.
By a 63%-to-37% margin, Bound Brook voters in November approved the $5 million sale of its sewer system to New Jersey American Water Company.
Sullivan said the borough has been "very fortunate over the years" that the system has not needed major repairs and the borough has been "very aggressive" in performing necessary maintenance.
But the system is old. One pipe on Davenport Street had "1912" stamped on it, the mayor said.
Costs for repairs will increase as the system continues to age, Sullivan said, putting financial pressure on the borough which then must pass on the costs to residents.
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The sewer system may be the most important service, other than police, that the borough performs, the mayor said, adding public health and safety are the most important responsibilities of government.
One of the advantages of selling the system, Sullivan explained, is that a private entity will have the financial and physical resources to upgrade the system and make repairs.
Maintaining the system will no longer be a borough responsibility, the mayor said.
Borough officials will review the bids with consultants to decide this summer whether to go forward with the referendum. A decision should be made by Labor Day, Sullivan said.
If a referendum is put on the ballot, the borough will undertake a public information effort, the mayor said.
Under its agreement with Bound Brook, New Jersey American Water would freeze sewer rates for two years, then have less than 3% increases in the following three years.
Any increases in sewer rates would then have to be approved by the state Board of Public Utilities.
In Bound Brook, New Jersey American Water also committed to investing a minimum of $11 million on the sewer system over the next decade, $6 million in the first five years, then $1 million per year after that.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerville NJ seeking potential buyers for sewer system
