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Ridgewood council reviews water system rate study, emergency repair and capital clean-up
Summary
The Ridgewood Village Council on May 27 discussed hiring a rate‑study firm to design tiered water rates, codified an emergency repair of a 20‑inch valve, approved several water capital vehicle purchases, and proposed canceling unused water capital ordinances to recapture about $2.2 million.
Ridgewood — The Village Council on May 27 heard a series of water system items including a recommendation to commission a formal rate study, codification of an emergency repair, and several capital purchases for the water division.
Village Director Rich Calby told council members the West Glenn pump station will undergo a soft start and testing the next day to prepare for summer demands, and that customers could see brief pressure changes or minor discoloration when the system is started. “Tomorrow water will be doing a soft start on the West Glenn pump station. It is now complete and ready for operation,” Calby said.
Calby recommended hiring Raft, the firm that has reviewed the village water budget, to produce three to four alternatives for a tiered rate structure so that higher-volume customers would pay a higher rate. He said implementation would likely occur in 2027 or 2028 depending on the firm’s recommendations. The study will evaluate recent budget years, projected capital plans and loan costs to provide council with concrete rate options.
The council also moved to codify an emergency repair for a failed 20‑inch valve in the PSEG right-of-way. Calby said the repair is complete and the line is back in operation; staff asked council to ratify a not-to-exceed amount of $109,000 charged to capital. When asked about the valve’s age, staff said they would obtain that detail for council members.
Staff presented two water‑division vehicle purchases: a 2026 Ford F350 to replace a 2015 F250 (funded from the water capital budget; price listed in the record as $71,192.60) and a single‑axle 2027 Kenworth dump truck to replace a 2014 International (approximately $149,795.40). Council discussion noted fleet needs and the continued work on the village’s POS and distribution infrastructure.
Calby also recommended canceling older water capital ordinances dating back to 2016–2020 to recapture roughly $2.2 million in authorized but unspent debt; the money would be available for debt reduction or capital reserves at the manager’s direction. Separately, staff described a customer overpayment of $2,446 and recommended refunding the account.
The meeting included public comment about irrigation enforcement and the effect of smart watering controllers; council asked staff to follow up. The council adjourned after a final motion.
Next steps: council will consider the formal rate‑study contract and any ordinances or appropriations at a future public meeting where votes would be recorded.
