Township Tosses Sewer Flat Fee, Adopts Percentage-Based Rate

Citing the fact that it would penalize commercial properties, the township committee amended its sewer fee ordinance at a meeting yesterday from a flat rate to one based on municipal property tax. 

The amended legislation asks for 7.2 percent of the municipal portion of the tax bill to be removed as a separate sewer use charge.

Most officials agreed that the new ordinance is fairer than the last. 

"If your bill was 'x' amount last year, it will be the same this year," Mayor Mark Smith said, provided the property does not use over 100,000 gallons of flow during a year.

Devised as a way to keep the township below the state budget increase limit of 4 percent by pulling sewer costs into a separate bill, the fee as first proposed was $190 for all residents.

The bill was amended at yesterday's meeting due to criticism, specifically from downtown property owner Gary Goodman, who noted that it penalized landlords for having more tenants–as tenants would each face an individual billing of $190. 

"Mr. Gary Goodman raised a concern, and it turned out to be valid," said Mayor Mark Smith. 

The ordinance will be officially unveiled tomorrow at the committee's June 29 meeting.

Correction (Article changed as of 6/30): The amended ordinance does not call for 7.2 percent of municipal taxes on a property. Instead it asks for 7.2 percent of the municipal portion of the tax bill to be removed as a separate sewer use charge.