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Resident tells council he received $4,342 sewer back‑charge and urges action on drainage
Summary
Richard Sundin, an Old Tappan resident, told the council he received a sewer flow back‑billing totaling $4,342.29 (billing from 2018 forward), questioned why the borough billed only to 2018, and raised concerns about driveway flooding tied to past sewer installation. He asked the borough to pursue drainage fixes with the county.
Resident Richard Sundin identified himself during the public comment period and read a letter informing him of a sewer flow charge balance of $4,342.29 that the borough said covered billing from Jan. 1, 2018 forward. He said the notice surprised him and asked how the oversight occurred and how many properties are connected to the municipal sewer system.
"The total amount due is $4,342.29," Sundin read from the notice. He said he estimated between 1,000 and 1,900 sewered residences and offered back‑of‑the‑envelope math suggesting the aggregate fiscal exposure could be large if many accounts had similar back charges. Sundin also described long‑running driveway flooding after changes to Washington Avenue topography during sewer installation and urged the borough engineer to discuss a catch‑basin or grading fix with the county engineer.
Council members and staff responded on process and rationale: the borough said it can legally bill back six years (hence 2018), that sewer charges are collected into a separate sewer utility fund that pays for pumps and maintenance, and that some apparent nonpayments were tied to open permits or missing final inspections. The mayor and borough engineer offered to have the engineer contact the county about drainage and to follow up with Sundin on permit history and sewer account records.
