U.F. postpones expanding water franchise for school
Officials uncertain if action would override alternative water option
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

UPPER FREEHOLD - A public hearing on an ordinance thatwould extendAqua Water Co.'s township water franchise to serve the new middle school has been carried to Feb. 21.

Township officials agreed at their Feb. 7 meeting to carry the hearing after Upper Freehold Regional School District Board of EducationVicePresidentWilliamBorkowski questioned whether the proposed ordinance would prohibit the possibility of the new school tying intoAllentown's water lines.

Borkowski told the Township Committee that AquaWater Co. is a for-profit company that recently increased its water rates by a substantial amount in neighboring Mercer County. He said the school board is considering Allentown as an alternative source of water for the new school off Breza Road. Although Aqua Water Co. manages the borough's franchise as well,Allentown's water company is revenue neutral, he said.

Allentown officials have told the board that the borough's plant has the capacity to service the new middle school, according to Borkowski.He saidthat thehook-ups for both water systems are actually located within 5 feet of each other near St. Joseph's Church.

Township Attorney Granville Michael Magee,whowrote the ordinance, said the ordinancewouldnot force the schooldistrict into tying into Aqua Water Co.'s lines in Upper Freehold. He said even if the ordinance passed, the school district would still have to contractwith the company to use itswater.

Magee said his impression is that the township would be helping the board with the ordinance.

Township Administrator Barbara Bascom said the school board and the water company asked the township for the ordinance because it is a part of the permitting process necessary for the newschool to open on schedule.

Magee askedBorkowski if hewas speaking as an individual or on behalf of the entire Board of Education about his concerns with the ordinance. Borkowski said the board wants to take the cheapest path for water services and is concerned that Aqua Water Co. would raise its rates in Monmouth County.

When asked if the board is concerned withAllentown raising rates, Borkowski reiterated that the borough's plant is revenue neutral, as it is nonprofit.

Mr.Magee said the township's ordinance would not apply to Allentown's water franchise. If passed, the ordinancewould expand Aqua Water Co.'s water service in Upper Freehold, he said. He also said that state agencies would have to approve the ordinance.

He said that if the state approves Aqua WaterCo.'sUpper Freehold franchise for the newschool, the companywould get the franchise in lieu of any other company.

"Whether thatwould affect the ability to tie intoAllentown's public water supply, I'm not prepared to say," he said, adding that paperwork filed with state agencies could be "critical."

Committeeman Robert Faber asked if the board has considered hooking the school site into aHamilton Township development that borders the school property.

"Itmight be cheaper," Faber said. "It's so much closer if you went in that direction. MaybeHamiltonwill tell you no, but did you ask?"

Borkowski said the board is open to alternative plans.

Mayor Steve Alexander said the TownshipCommittee did not receive anything regarding the Allentown option from the school board, but has heard from its professionals regarding Aqua Water Co.'s Upper Freehold franchise.

Alexander said he would like to hear from engineers to make an informed decision and asked if a delay on the ordinance would affect the school construction project's timeline.

Board member Howard Krieger said a two-week delay on the ordinance would not change the project's timeline.