Mayor Dave Fried announced on April 12 that for the second time during his administration the Township has successfully petitioned the court and negotiated a settlement with Aqua New Jersey, Inc.

Approved by the NJ Board of Public Utilities on Wednesday, the settlement resulted in an average residential increase of just 5.3 percent, instead of the proposed 12.91 percent. An average customer is defined as one that uses 6,000 gallons of water per month.

Just as significant, the public fire rates for hydrants and other service did not increase, and that helps the Township, which is responsible for that cost, stay well within the 2 percent tax cap.

Robbinsville Township intervention resulted in a similar outcome regarding proposed water rate increases in 2007.
“For the second time in five years we have stepped in to protect the integrity of the water rates charged to the Township,’’ Mayor Fried said. “We would like to thank Aqua for its willingness to work with us, as this settlement is significant and means a stay of rates since the last increase in June of 2008. Every dollar counts and it is yet another way we are working to stay within cap regarding taxes.’’

The settlement means an increase of just $2.09 per month for the average residential user, as opposed to the proposed increase of $5.12.