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Board approves Comprehensive Plan amendment and Water Code Ordinance to establish Middlesex Water Authority service district; residents seek explicit HOA carve‑
Summary
The Board unanimously approved AM 2024-06 and a Water Code Ordinance to formalize exclusive Middlesex Water Authority service districts; multiple residents urged explicit language to protect existing HOA systems and routine maintenance rights.
On May 5 the Board approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment (AM 2024-06) and a Water Code Ordinance to designate Middlesex County Water Authority (MWA) service districts and require new large subdivisions to meet MWA standards. Staff said the change is intended to preserve local control over water infrastructure, prevent unchecked expansion by private utilities, and ensure new systems meet consistent technical and operational standards.
During the public hearing, several residents — including Susan Armentrout, Curt Angstadt and Benjamin Ward — asked that existing HOA and neighborhood water systems be explicitly protected in ordinance text. Armentrout said she "fears that the legal text does not explicitly state some of the intent, creating future risk," and Ward asked that routine maintenance and like‑for‑like well replacement be explicitly allowed without MWA permission. Curt Angstadt said his HOA has operated a public system for about 40 years and sought clearer carve-outs.
Mr. Kretz and County Attorney Heather W. Lewis said the ordinance is not intended to force existing systems under MWA control and noted waivers where operation by MWA would be financially impractical. Some residents, however, expressed concern about future governance risk: Michael Lamb warned a future board might sell the system to a private company and urged language addressing potential sales. Chairman Don Harris emphasized the Board’s intent "to protect County and citizen interests, not to harm existing communities or force unwanted takeovers."
The Board approved both the Comprehensive Plan amendment and the Water Code Ordinance on unanimous roll calls. Staff and the MWA will continue work to refine implementing language; several speakers and board members asked that protections for existing systems and clarifying definitions (for example, of "expansion" or "establishment") be added in subsequent drafting or administrative guidance.
