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Pennington previews fee increases, water-leak rule and proposed rental registry
Summary
At a work session April 27, Pennington Borough officials reviewed proposed increases to fees for borough services, a water leakage ordinance that would keep owners responsible for water but adjust sewer charges, and a rental-registration proposal that raised concerns about lead testing intervals.
Pennington Borough officials on April 27 previewed a package of ordinances and fee changes the council plans to consider at upcoming meetings, including higher fees for borough services, a new water-leakage rule and a rental-registration requirement.
Borough Administrator GP Caminiti outlined the proposed fee amendments, saying they would raise charges for a range of borough services. Council members asked for specifics on what new snow-removal fees would cover and requested projected revenue estimates tied to the increases; Caminiti also said the administration will take over the "adopt a flag" program and that a proposed yard-sale administration fee will be eliminated because demand is low.
Borough Attorney Walter Bliss described a water leakage and spillage ordinance recommended by the Public Works Committee. Bliss said the ordinance treats involuntary or accidental leaks as the owner’s responsibility for the water portion of a bill but provides that sewer charges would be reduced to the property’s normal usage, calculated as the average of the last four quarters. Mayor Davy said that ordinance will be ready for introduction at the council’s next meeting.
On a rental-registration proposal, Caminiti said the registry is intended to identify where rental units are located so the borough and the fire department can address safety concerns and ensure compliance with lead-paint testing obligations under applicable codes. Council Member Angarone objected to a proposed six-year interval for lead testing, and Mayor Davy said the rental-registration proposal will be scheduled for further discussion at a future work session.
The council also reviewed an amendment to a bond ordinance to fund an architectural space study for the Police Department and broader Borough Hall options; Mayor Davy said funds are available for that study and asked consultants to consider multiple options. The council did not take final votes on any of these items during the work session; most were listed for introduction or further discussion on the tentative regular agenda.
