Mayor Yaede Demands Aqua NJ Reduce Proposed 19 Percent Rate Increase on 11,000 Hamilton Residents

In response to Aqua New Jersey, Inc.’s plan to increase rates by approximately 19 percent – which would impact 11,000 Hamiltonians serviced by the water provider, as well as fire services, Mayor Kelly Yaede is demanding that Aqua NJ reduce its proposed rate increase.

According to the company’s filing with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Aqua New Jersey is petitioning to increase its general metered service from $5.409/per thousand gallons to $6.492/per thousand gallons (an increase of $1.083 per thousand gallons), as well as proposing to increase fixed monthly charges, which vary according to meter size.

For a residential customer with a 5/8” meter using 5,000 gallons of water per month, costs would increase by $8.30 per month (from $42.95 to $51.25) – approximately a 19.3 percent increase.  The proposal does not reflect the inclusion in rates of a DSIC (Distribution System Improvement Charge) that may be subsequently approved.

“In the interest of the 11,000 Hamilton taxpayers that would be impacted by these rate increases, I am demanding that Aqua NJ reconsider this proposal and make every effort to reduce the amount of increase it is seeking, as a 19 percent increase is unconscionable and unacceptable,” says Mayor Kelly Yaede. “I have and will continue to fight for safe drinking water; however, a 19 percent increase is appalling.”

Mayor Yaede noted that over a 5-year period, Hamilton Township has held the line on municipal government spending at approximately 1.08 percent per year, which is significantly lower than Aqua NJ’s proposal to increase revenues by 18.7 percent.

Mayor Yaede will be formally writing to Aqua NJ, an Administrative Law Judge that will preside over the public hearings and Board of Public Utilities regarding this matter, before meeting with an Aqua NJ representative later this month.

Additionally, residents will be able to attend public hearings that will take place on March 28, 2019, at the Hamilton Township Public Library (1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619) at 4 PM and 5:30 PM.