Aqua NJ president questioned by Sussex council
SUSSEX BOROUGH — The president of Aqua New Jersey, the company that hopes to buy the borough's water/sewage utility for $11.4 million recently was questioned by the Sussex Borough Council on Sept. 16.
The question of whether to accept Aqua's bid will appear on the ballot during the Nov. 4 general election. Even if it is privatized, the utility always will be regulated by the state.
During the meeting, Aqua New Jersey President Nicholas Asselta and Operations Manager John Hildabrant answered a list of questions from Councilwoman Linda Masson and confirmed a few clarifications with Council President Marina Krynicky and Councilman Sal Lagattuta.
Masson was most concerned with the short disconnect turnaround time for non-payment of bills. Aqua, per state statute, begins the turnoff process after 15 days delinquency. Then the company shuts off water and sewer service within another 10 days.
Masson was especially concerned about senior citizens having their service shut off so quickly.
Asselta said that with the windfall the borough will receive from the utility sale, the borough could set up a plan to protect senior citizens. Aqua simply obeys the New Jersey state statutes.
As of Dec. 31, 2013, the Sussex Borough's water/sewer utility debt was around $7.5 million. If the Aqua New Jersey bid passes in November, the borough could have an excess of about $3 million.
Asselta also said the borough would have a five-year moratorium on water/sewer costs being raised from what they are currently.
A process exists through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the New Jersey Rate Payer Advocates to possibly change rates in the future.
Asselta said Aqua had studied the demographics of Sussex Borough; and it is in the best interests of Aqua New Jersey to keep the rates as low as possible, because they need to maintain their customer base.
Lagattuta affirmed with Asselta that each of Aqua's subsidiaries was regulated by the codes of their own individual state Board of Public Utilities.