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Resident presses council on water rate hikes amid planned M.U.A. lease; council says no formal rate limits in code
Summary
During public comment a resident asked whether rate increases would be limited under the borough's planned water lease to the M.U.A.; Councilman James Hackett said no formal limits were placed in the documents on timing or amount of increases, and Councilman Jesse Stemberger said increases would be introduced with residents' finances in mind.
During the public portion of the Feb. 10 Woodstown Borough Council meeting, a resident identified in the minutes as Erin Maurer of 11 Shirley St. asked council for clarification about a proposed water rate hike and whether any regulations would limit increases during the borough's planned water lease to the M.U.A. The resident also asked how the borough would notify residents of upcoming changes to water bills.
Councilman James Hackett replied that "no regulations or stipulations were put in place to limit the amount, or times a rate increase could occur," as recorded in the minutes. Councilman Jesse Stemberger said, based on his participation in Sewer Authority meetings, that any increases "would be introduced with resident financials in mind." The minutes do not record a statutory citation or written limit restricting rate increases.
Council and staff discussed ways to notify residents about changes to the water bill, including options for delayed mailing, but the minutes do not record a formal notification policy or a timetable for communicating bill changes. The engineer's report and later agenda discussion noted ongoing progress with the M.U.A., but the minutes do not record final lease terms or specific rate schedules.
What's next: Council discussion on notification and M.U.A. progress will continue; the minutes do not record a final decision or ordinance that constrains future rate changes.
