Allentown mayor steps in to oversee water plant Aqua New Jersey cancels contract with borough BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer ALLENTOWN - Taps will still work and toilets will still flush comeApril 1, even though Aqua New Jersey Water Co. will no longer be in charge of the borough's water system. Mayor Stu Fierstein has assured that residents will not notice the change inmanagement at the water plant, authorized by the Borough Council at its March 24 meeting. The council passed a resolution stating that the mayor would secure daily operations at and licensed professionalswould operate the borough's water/sewer plant. AquaNewJersey notified Fierstein that it would no longer operate the borough's water and sewer service and requested to be removed as operator effectiveMarch 31, according to the resolution. The company has been providing services to the borough since 2006. Services included operating equipment necessary for routine engineering, billing and collections, meter reading and installation,maintaining the water treatment plant and distribution system and maintaining the wastewater plant and collection system. The annual contract totaled $125,000 for the first year and $130,000 for the second year along with meter reading, billing and cash remittance of $2.22 per bill. The contract had a two-year term. The resolution states that the timing of the notification did not provide the borough or its engineer with the opportunity to seek alternate operating services. The resolution appoints the mayor to secure daily operations at and the borough's professionals to operate the plant on an emergent basis in the interest of the health, safety andwelfare of borough residents. Fierstein said thatAquaNewJersey advised himin aMarch 12 letter that it did not want to renewits contractwith the borough. He said itwas a company business decision. While Aqua New Jersey managed operations for the borough's water facility, another operator, D2L, subcontracted to operate the borough's sewer facility, he said. Fierstein said the borough will undergo a 90-day transition phase. "Nothing changes as ofApril 1," he said. "It's not a situation that will change anyone's use of the water and sewer facility." Gretchen Toner, a representative for Aqua New Jersey, said that the company gave appropriate notice of its decision to leave according to its contract with the borough. "Residents should be assured that we're also working with the borough to ensure a mutually agreeable, smooth transition period before the new operator comes on board," Toner said. Allentown has proposed hooking the new middle school on Breza Road into its wastewater plant.Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education President Joseph Stampe said he has discussed the issuewith Mayor Fierstein and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection representative Rick Brown. "Allentown still has a licensed operator of their plant and are now in the process of identifying a new operator," Stampe said. "Both Mayor Fierstein and Mr. Brown assured me that this in no way impacts the school district's ability to tie into the Allentown plant, if the district ultimately does choose that route, as opposed to building our own facility." Stampe said that he appreciates Fierstein calling him and giving him the information directly. "The Board of Education is committed to keeping the lines of communication open with all threemunicipalities in our district," Stampe said. When asked whether a new operator would affect the cost savings estimates the board has proposed for tying into theAllentown plant as opposed to creating its own plant, Stampe said hewould have to consult with the school's construction manager Hill International, of Marlton. "However, given that the Allentown facility is a public, not-for-profit company, I think any increase in costs would not offset the savings the district would have by tapping into theAllentown plant," Stampe said. At the March 13 Upper Freehold Township Committee meeting, Gabrielle Dujue, ofHill International, said that annual operating costs for the school tomaintain a plant have been estimated at $125,000, whereas the schoolwould payAllentown $68,850 per year for services.