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Vernon MUA outlines $4M EPA-backed sewer expansion plan, warns some property owners will face mandatory EDU charges
Summary
The municipal utilities authority told the Vernon Township Council it has roughly $4 million in EPA funding (with a 20% local match) to extend sewer mains into four priority areas, but leaders were warned that some commercial properties could trigger large connection costs measured in multiple EDUs and that mandatory EDU charges apply whether owners physically connect or not.
The Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority told the mayor and council on June 8 that it is pursuing a multi-area sewer expansion, backed by congressional/EPA funding, to use excess treatment-plant capacity and lower long-term sewer rates.
"By bringing in new users, we can spread our fixed operational costs across a much larger base, which is the key to driving down our future consumer rates," said James Chappelle, the MUA—ngineer, during a lengthy presentation of maps, cost estimates and permitting steps. Chappelle described four candidate expansion areas and said the county has approved the service-area mapping; the plan now awaits state review.
Chappelle told the council the EPA-related grant package includes about $4 million in federal funds with a roughly 20% local match; design work has identified roughly $6 million of potential projects, meaning the board must choose which areas to include in a work plan. He presented per-EDU cost comparisons for candidate zones and urged the council to prioritize areas that deliver the most customer connections per construction dollar.
Council members and MUA staff repeatedly focused on one uphill, commercially important area that would require either a deep stream crossing or a pump station. Builders and staff warned that crossing the DOT-regulated stream and installing pumping infrastructure would be expensive, potentially requiring bond financing if it is not covered by grant funds.
MUA and township officials also discussed the mechanics of connection payments. "I think it's important to distinguish between connection fees and service charges," said Rich Warner, the MUA's attorney, stressing the legal and financial differences. Warner and other staff explained that a property inside an adopted sewer service area can be billed for EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) charges even if the owner does not physically hook up; connection fees are the one-time buy-in, while periodic EDU charges are billed as service.
That distinction led to council concern about a commercial parcel that staff estimated could be assessed on the order of 20 EDUs if it developed as a 150-seat restaurant. Council members worried that high one-time connection costs or recurring EDU bills could deter redevelopment or, if unpaid, lead to liens and foreclosure.
MUA officials described a two-part permitting path: finalize the sewer-service-area geometry with the state and county, complete the EPA work plan specifying design and which projects will be funded, then advance permitting and construction. Chappelle said the authority hopes to get state comments on the sewer-service-area amendment in early July and expected to package design and construction options in a single EPA application; the board also plans to solicit construction bids later in the year if the work plan is approved.
Next steps listed by MUA staff include continued outreach to the large commercial property owner, finalizing the EPA work plan, and coordinating sewer construction timing with Route 94 paving plans to avoid repeated roadway disruption. The council did not vote on any construction contracts at the meeting; MUA staff said additional council approvals and permit clearances will be required before work begins.
