Fanwood council adopts modest sewer-rate increases after NW Financial review

Fanwood Borough Council on May 18 approved new sewer-utility rates for calendar year 2026 following a presentation from the borough's financial adviser, NW Financial.

Heather Litzbauer of NW Financial told the council the borough's sewer expenses this year are about $750,000 and that total usage has fallen by roughly 10,000,000 gallons compared with last year. She said the borough evaluated billing options and recommended staying with 12-month usage billing and making modest tier increases to maintain reserves and cover treatment costs.

"We looked at several different options," Litzbauer said. "Continuing billing based on 12 months of usage was the lowest rate increase needed." She summarized the change for typical residential customers: tier 1 rising from $130 to $150, tier 2 from $230 to $266, and the incremental charge for the highest users increasing from $50 to $58 per 10,000 gallons.

Mayor Colleen Maher framed the change as proactive infrastructure stewardship, noting the town inspects sewer lines whenever roads are opened and has been working to avoid catastrophic failures. "We're trying to be very proactive, in taking care of our infrastructure," she said.

Council considered and adopted Resolution 2026-05-129 to set the sewer-user rates as presented. The motion was seconded and a roll-call vote was recorded; the mayor announced the motion carried.

The council and NW Financial staff said the increases aim to preserve a fund balance for unexpected capital work and to ensure revenues cover treatment costs paid to the Plainfield Area Regional Sewer Authority and other treatment partners. Officials noted the proposed increases were lower than alternative billing options the borough examined, including a flat rate or annualizing a single quarter's usage.

The council approved the resolution at the meeting; staff said notices and related billing updates will follow in advance of revised invoices.