Somerville voters decide to sell sewer system to NJ American Water
Somerville voters have decided to sell the county seat's century-old sewer system to New Jersey American Water for $7 million.With eight out of nine districts reporting, the vote was 1,991 for the sale, while 704 voted against the sale.
The result is incomplete because of a voting machine malfunction Tuesday morning at Somerville High School. Paper ballots were used until the machine was replaced around noon.
“I want to thank the residents of Somerville, as well as Mayor [Dennis] Sullivan and Borough Council members, for entrusting us with their sewer system,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water, in a statement. “Water and sewer is all we do, and as Somerville’s long-time water provider, we are committed to making the needed improvements to ensure the community’s sewer service is as clean, safe, reliable and affordable as the water service we provide. We look forward to getting started and will deliver upon the commitments we have made.”
In the race for two three-year seats on the Borough Council, Democratic incumbents Roger Vroom III and Gina Stravic were victorious over Republicans Mario Haddad and Christopher Petrosini. Democrats have a 6-0 hold on the Borough Council.
Election results:Who won, who lost in Central Jersey
Stravic was high vote-getter with 2,187 votes and Vroom followed with 2,104 votes. Petrosini got 1,272 votes with Haddad at 1,250 votes.
Turnout in the borough was 41%.
These are unofficial results.
New Jersey American Water has also offered to make $9.5 million in capital improvements in the following decade, including the purchase of a sewer camera truck.
With the sale, New Jersey American water has said sewer bills will be frozen for two years, followed by 3% increases in the next three years and 4% increases in the following two years. After that, all increases would have to be approved by the state Board of Public Utilities.
The utility will also offer financial assistance to low-income customers and provide 24/7 customer service for emergencies every day of the year.
Without New Jersey American Water buying the system, taxpayers would have been responsible for paying for repairs to the aging system which could amount to millions of dollars.
New Jersey American Water has agreed to pay the costs associated with the 27-inch pipe to the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority, costs for correcting inflow and infiltration into the system, hiring new staff, buying new equipment and meeting needs at the borough's Department of Public Works facility.
The money from the sale could pay off the sewer system's $1.6 million debt and the remainder would address a portion of the borough's overall $16.1 million of debt unrelated to the system.
Last year, Bound Brook voters approved the sale of their wastewater system to New Jersey American Water for $5 million.
Raritan Borough officials have said they have been approached by New Jersey American Water about selling its wastewater system to the utility.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerville election results 2022: Sewer sale approved
