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Water Rates Poised To Double in Marlboro

Barbara Levine, Marlboro

I am writing because I am concerned about a proposed double digit increase in the Marlboro Water Utility Division’s rates. When the mayor and Township Council decided to assume the Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) as part of the township two years ago, we were promised it would reduce taxpayer and ratepayers’ expenses.

At the time is was reported that the savings to the taxpayers for eliminating this layer of government would be more than $800,000 in the first year and $200,000 per year thereafter and that the takeover would not affect the rates. Yet now, barely two years later, a rate increase is proposed.

We were told the MTMUA was tapping into capital reserves to pay current operating expenses and that absorption (of the authority by the township) would reduce costs so those reserve funds could be used for repairs and upgrades. There were many dissenters at the time and even those who were worried that this would be a “onetime gimmick” and that the Water Utility Division would initially raise rates and then be sold off.

In fact, the question was posed to the mayor and council with a request for a resolution to promise not to sell the water (utility) so that Marlboro does not go the way of other towns who have assumed a water authority with disastrous results, i.e., Howell, which has one of the highest water rates in the state.

Mayor and council, can you provide some assurance that this proposed water increase will not occur, and that you will not sell the water (utility) as long as you are mayor of this town?

Posted: February 1st, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Marlboro | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »