Paulsboro council introduces ordinance to raise water and sewer flat rates

Paulsboro Borough Council on Jan. 15 introduced an ordinance that would raise the borough’s flat water and sewer charges by $26 per quarter for each service.

Council President Thomas and Councilman Haynes voted in favor of introducing O.26.01; Councilwoman Armistead voted no. Solicitor Maley said the ordinance is being introduced and that a public hearing and second reading will be held Feb. 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

Councilwoman Armistead opposed the increase and listed several household cost pressures she said make the timing difficult for residents, noting smaller cost-of-living adjustments for seniors and higher costs for Medicare, insurance and groceries. She asked, in the meeting’s discussion, when residents would “get a break.” Mayor Giovannitti and other members said the Water & Sewer fund is operating in a deficit and the borough lacks budget flexibility.

Administrator Marino told council that the borough has seen equipment costs rise sharply: “it costed $40,000 a filter a few years ago, but now it's $65,000 a filter this year.” Treasurer Judson Moore said the Water & Sewer fund ran with a $200,000 surplus in 2025 but is about $390,000 in the hole going into 2026 and that balancing the 2026 budget will require increases in utility rates and taxes. The ordinance text presented sets a sewer flat charge of $131.00 per unit per quarter ($524.00 per year) and a water flat charge of $119.00 per 15,000 gallons per unit per quarter ($476.00 per year); each charge reflects a $26.00-per-quarter increase and the ordinance sponsor said the change would produce about $70,000 in surplus for the utility fund.

The council voted to adopt O.26.01 on introduction and first reading; the measure will return for a public hearing and final vote at the Feb. 10 regular meeting. Members not present were invited to meet with the CFO and treasurer to review the administrator's spreadsheets before the hearing.