Sewer Utility

Sewer Bill Alert

On January 18, 2011, the Township Council introduced a new Sewer Fee Ordinance 11-04. This Ordinance will reflect an increase in Sewer fees for all Residential Properties from a minimum of either $ 125.00 or $ 175.00 to $ 225.00 for the first 75,000 Gallons of water utilized.  The water billing months are November 2009 to April 30, 2010.  This amount is doubled to annualize the water used for the year.  It is done this way to avoid the months that you usually utilize more water for such activities as watering lawns, filling pools, washing cars etc.

Why the increase?

During the past 5 years, the Township received Sewer fees from US Gypsum in excess of One (1) million dollars.  US Gypsum has subsequently left Clark Township and although we cannot receive the revenue, according to the RVSA guidelines we are still responsible for their usage on a five (5) year rolling average.  Over the next three years our share should decrease somewhat.  However, as with everything else, operating costs will continue to rise.  It is our belief, based on our assumptions, that the sewer fee will remain constant for many years to come.

Your governing body attempted to fight US Gypsum, both through the RVSA Board of Commissioners, and through the Superior Court of New Jersey.  We were refuted in both areas.  Therefore, the additional costs have been distributed fairly throughout the entire municipality including Commercial, Industrial, Significant Industrial Users (SIU) and Non-Profits. If we included the bill for sewers in your property taxes, the bill on an average home assessed at $118,000 would reflect an increased tax bill in excess of $647.00 per year.

In previous years, Senior Citizens who qualified for the Property Tax Reimbursement were eligible for a refund of $125.00.  This will no longer apply.  However, Senior Citizens who are entitled to a Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction, in accordance with NJSA 54:4-8.44, shall receive a discount of $125.00 from the sewer bill.

Your Mayor and Council continually serve as your watchdog to bring you the service you seek at the most reasonable costs available.  Even in these tough economic times, the loss of State Aid and the mandatory State costs we have to incur in developing our budget, we have not eliminated any services that you have been given.

Thank you for your continued support.