Mount Ephraim Sewer Rates Increasing 100 percent
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
By Andrea Vinci
Gloucester City News
The Mount Ephraim Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance on second reading, after no comments from the public, which will raise the sewer rate from $50 to $100 per year.
Officials released the following statement explaining the increase:
“The Borough of Mount Ephraim provides sewer connections to all properties in the community, and transports the raw sewage to a connection with the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority.
The CCMUA then transports it to their treatment plant for processing before it is released into the Delaware River. Each part of the process entails costs.
“Mt. Ephraim’s costs for providing and maintaining the sewer mains under the streets, the manholes, the pump stations and handling the billing has steadily increased from approximately $100,000 in 2004 to the anticipated estimate of $200,000 in 2011.
“At the same time the basic yearly rate was last increased seven years ago in 2004 to the current $50 per residence or business unit and has remained constant since then, generating only $100,000 per year in revenue.
“The difference between the income from sewer rents and the actual costs has been subsidized by income from property taxes.
“The Commissioners believe it is in the best interests of the Borough that the sewer rate generates enough revenue to cover all the costs of the sewer services it provides.
“That ensures that this critical service if properly funded, and also frees up tax revenues to cover the other important municipal services.
“The result is the need to raise the basic rate for annual sewer service to $100 per year. That will generate approximately $200,000 in the 2011 budget, which will cover the anticipated costs.
“At the same time, steps continue to be taken to hold the sewer costs down over time while ensuring that sewer problems are kept to a minimum.
“A review of numerous area municipal sewer charges shows that most are at, or above, $100 per unit per year. That confirms that the proposed rate is reasonable.
“An ordinance to change the sewer rate was introduced at the January 18 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. A public hearing was held during the February 3 meetings, and the ordinance was subsequently adopted.
“The new rate of $100 will be reflected in the bills that will be sent out in April, and payment will be due May 1.”
In other business, the Commissioners publicly thanked and acknowledged members of the town’s Celebration Committee for their efforts to continuously plan events throughout the year, which enhance the community.
Several resolutions were read, and approved by consent, including agreements to share paving, sewer and ambulance services with Bellmawr, and for the two towns to purchase a new trash truck.
Commissioner Gilmore gave a detailed report on the Police and Fire departments for the past month. The police dutifully handled over 392 calls, 16 motor vehicle accidents, and 25 arrests.
A get well wish was extended to Sergeant Bill Erriggo of the Fire Department, who was hurt while on active duty.
The Commissioner also clearly noted that all Mt. Ephraim residents have exactly 24 hours after a snowstorm to clear their paths, and the snow is not to be dumped into the roadways.
Commissioner Greenwald noted that the Public Works Department handled over 85,000 pounds of recycling and over 129 tons of trash in January alone.
In addition, employees repeatedly took care of the roads with each consecutive winter storm that hit the borough this past month.
He also noted that the state granted the borough $200,000 to begin resurfacing the road at Hartka Avenue, which will begin this summer.
Mayor Joseph Wolk closed the meeting with tax reports and updates on budget planning for the coming year.
PUBLISHED GLOUCESTER CITY NEWS FEB. 14, 2011
