Vote against water utility sale

Aqua Water Co. wants to purchase Sussex Borough’s water and sewer, we should not sell it. This town made a huge mistake years ago by changing the sewer connection to the SCMUA. Because of that change we have been paying high water and sewer bills. We don’t need to make the same mistake again by selling our entire system.

The outlook for all of us is changing and to sell at this time is premature. We have been looking in other areas, such as the possibility of applying for Federal Grants and Funding to help lower the cost of the water and sewer. We have a new rate system in place; let’s see what is going to happen with that. And there could be negotiation of the contract with SCMUA to change some of our allocations. Also, there are new users that are connecting to our sewer line, which will lower the cost for all of us. And, let’s not forget the redevelopment area with the possibility of growth and new users in that area. It has been a long time coming and it is finally here.

The borough has not over charged the residents to make a profit, where-as Aqua Water is a (for-profit company) and is only looking at the bottom line. They are not interested in our sewer problems; they only want our water system. The price tag sounds to good to be true, but you don’t know what can happen in the future.

You can always sell, but it would be difficult to purchase the water/sewer back again.

The vote on the Nov 4, 2014 election should be “no."

Annette Stendor
Sussex Borough Councilwoman