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Byram council tables Veolia water‑service expansion after residents raise pressure and hydrant safety concerns
Summary
The council postponed the public hearing on Ordinance No. 015, which would allow Veolia Water NJ to extend service to properties affected by the Mansfield Superfund site, after residents and the fire chief raised concerns about water pressure, capacity and nonfunctional hydrants.
Byram Township Council on Oct. 7 delayed action on Ordinance No. 015, which would grant municipal consent for Veolia Water New Jersey to extend water service and install pipes and related facilities for properties tied to the Mansfield Superfund cleanup.
Douglas Steinheart and other Veolia representatives presented the ordinance and said the expansion would serve a group of homes on Brookwood Road currently using point-of-entry treatment systems because of contamination. Veolia indicated a booster system would be required and said EPA‑related design work is part of the project. Mayor Rubenstein said he heard information at prior meetings that “is contradictory to what was presented tonight” and voiced concern about capacity and household water pressure.
Richard Cartizon, identified in the minutes as a Veolia engineer, told the council engineering calculations will follow allowable standards and said he believes the system can meet a 60‑psi benchmark. Council questions focused on whether adding additional homes beyond the 20 EPA‑designated properties would reduce pressure for existing customers and on where firm capacity figures were documented.
Residents told the council they were worried about losing pressure. Kevin Moulton said his home currently measures 56 psi and “does not want that to be reduced.” Jack Moran asked whether firm capacity had been confirmed for all affected properties or only for the 20 EPA homes. Mary Schneider and other residents said they have managed existing point‑of‑entry systems for decades and were reluctant to swap into a system that could lower pressure.
Fire Chief Pond raised separate public‑safety concerns about fire hydrants in the area, saying some are not fire‑rated and urging Veolia and the Fire Department to meet offline. Minutes record discussion of marking or painting nonworking hydrants and improving identification of flushing hydrants so the Fire Department knows which hydrants are usable. Patricia Moshella recounted an incident when water drawn from a hydrant caused a loss of pressure during a house fire, underscoring the chief’s concern.
Councilman Roseff asked staff for reports showing capacity impacts if the expansion includes homes beyond the 20 EPA‑listed properties. After discussion, Councilwoman Franco moved and Councilman Proctor seconded a motion to table the public hearing; the motion carried and the minutes record the hearing was rescheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. (date as recorded in the minutes). The council’s action leaves the ordinance pending until Veolia provides capacity documentation and the Fire Department and utility representatives have discussed hydrant status.
Next steps recorded in the minutes: Veolia is to follow up with EPA and meet with Chief Pond; staff were asked to supply capacity reports to the council before the rescheduled hearing.
