Sussex council discusses changing utility payment schedule

SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex Borough Council discussed using Aqua New Jersey's payment schedule and payment plan in the borough's Sewer/Water Utility on Oct. 7.

Initially, Mayor Jonathan Rose recused himself from the discussion. However, he was then called back to the dais by the council and Borough Attorney Francis J. McGovern because a conflict of interest would not occur during the discussion.

Councilwoman Linda Masson said she wanted to change the current Sussex Borough payment policy to Aqua NJ's, in order to “see if (the Borough) can live with this or not.”

Rose said the current policy is an executive policy which the council may override.

Masson looked at a list of people who are more than 90 days in arrears of payment for their utility services.

She commented that the list of customers would have had their service shut off already under the ownership of Aqua New Jersye's ownership.

Currently the Borough has a 27 percent uncollected rate.

Discussion continued among the council about going through the over 90-day list to see who already has service discontinued, but is still on the list.

Next, because Sussex Borough bills quarterly for the water/sewer utility, and Aqua uses monthly billing, Masson asked if the Borough had “a mechanism to go monthly?”

Rose said the borough could do it, but there would be an additional Department of Public Works cost and an additional mailing cost.

"It's not a free lunch," Rose said. However, he said 30 days would "probably be better for rate payers."

According to state statute, the payment schedule is set; and the state dictates the notice requirement.

Rose said per the state, a minimum net of 30 days and noticing requirements exist before the shutoff procedure begins.

Councilman Salvatore Lagattuta said he did not think the borough needed to do anything.

Rose said the borough could check into the details and write a resolution.

Finally, action was tabled until a resolution can be drafted.