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PSC recommends Millburn-Graves merger; county to submit comments and pursue waterline funding options
Summary
The Public Service Commission recommended merging the Millburn Water District with Graves Water District; county officials plan to submit comments by the June 14 deadline and to pursue waterline funding (two grant options referenced) that could serve schools and nearby communities.
County leaders discussed a pending Public Service Commission (PSC) report that recommends consolidating the small Millburn Water District with the Graves Water District, citing a customer base that a PSC study called too small to sustain independent operations.
Commissioners said they will submit comments to the PSC before the June 14 deadline to argue for keeping local service where feasible. At the same time, staff discussed two possible waterline grants referenced in the meeting—one itemized at roughly $5,000,000 and another at approximately $725,000—that could fund a water plant and distribution lines to serve a nearby school and surrounding areas if project approvals proceed.
Commissioners acknowledged the PSC’s analysis is persuasive about small customer bases but said they will make a local case emphasizing service continuity if possible. Staff also said they will work with engineers and the Department of Local Government to refine project language and to determine whether the county can retain local control of water services in some areas.
The court agreed to prepare comments and revisit the issue when more information and formal PSC filings are available.
