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Borough schedules July 30 session as water-sale process advances; residents press for clarity on safety and grants
Summary
Council updated residents on a possible sale of the borough water system and a parallel federal grant application, set an informational session for July 30 and said the state's approval of the Water Infrastructure Protection process triggered a 45-day petition window that likely ends Aug. 5. Residents asked for clearer answers on safety and alternatives to privatization.
Council leaders told residents at Tuesday's meeting that the borough has entered the Water Infrastructure Protection (WIP) Act process as it explores options for its water system, and that a 45-day petition period tied to the state's public notice is under way.
The moderator said the state's approval allows the borough to follow the WIP process rather than the traditional bidding path and that a public notice triggered a 45-day challenge window that staff believes will end on August 5. The borough scheduled a special informational session on the topic for July 30 at Borough Hall and said it will mail details and include them on water bills.
The presentation to council made two points: the WIP approval does not itself authorize a sale, and the borough is continuing to pursue grant funding that could be used to keep the system in public hands by paying for treatment upgrades.
"We're still in discussion with the [state] about a federal grant for treatment systems," the council speaker said, adding that the Department sent the borough's grant packet to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the borough is awaiting an EPA response. "The EPA has not responded, so we don't know if we're getting the grant or not."
Some residents urged the council to prioritize grants and not privatization. "WIPPA is a bad deal for water and sewer customers," said Charlie Bradville, who identified himself as Central Jersey organizer for Food & Water Watch and said his group represents thousands of members statewide. "Private water companies always make back their money by jacking up the rates."
Other residents asked directly whether borough water is safe to drink. "I'll speak for myself: yes, I drink the water," said Gina Hermans, who asked to be on the record. "It meets all of the current requirements of the state and federal government for testing."
Council staff emphasized the two tracks are being pursued in parallel: a grant application that would finance on-site treatment if awarded, and a process under the WIP statute that could qualify utilities to respond to a potential sale. The WIP approval is an eligibility finding, not a sale authorization; subsequent steps would include issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) and then a request for proposals (RFP) if the borough seeks buyers.
The borough urged residents to use the July 30 meeting to ask technical questions about water quality, system capacity and how federal money would be used. The session is intended to provide more detailed information and time for public comment.
Next steps: an informational meeting on July 30, monitoring of the 45-day petition period tied to the WIP posting and continued coordination with state and federal agencies on the grant application.
