That is NOT Negotiable

Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach with Middlesex Water Company Representatives: Dennis Doll and Rick Risoldi. They went before the Council and gave an annual report on USAPA *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Dennis Doll and Rick Risoldi of Middlesex Water Company made their annual report to the Council at the October 21, 2013 Caucus Meeting. They focused mainly on the repairs made after the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach said that the public/private partnership was established in 1998 between the City and Middlesex Water Company. “In 2008 Mr. Doll was one of the representatives from Middlesex Water who worked with the new administration to help reduce operating costs of $600,000 a year. Because of this cooperation, between the water company and the City it helped to greatly reduce the cost of the debt created by the previous administration.

After the devastation of Sandy, it was important to get the water and sewer systems operating efficiently. Middlesex Water was responsible for monitoring the system and getting the pumping station up and running. At the moment I don’t see this utility making money for the City. This is a very old sewer system that we are trying to make as efficient as possible. There will be a 2% rate increase for next year. Our priority are the sewer lines and the 4 inch pipes in the system.

There were 49 employees at one time employed in the Water and Sewer Department and that is down to about 19.”

The Council wanted to know what improvements could be made to our water and sewer system.

Doll answered, “A back- up electric power system is needed at the Runyon Plant.”

Risoldi said, “So far, work has been done on the hydrants; some of the main breaks have been repaired. The sewer and sanitary systems have been separated.

Councilman Fernando Irizarry wanted to know if there was a mechanism in place so this will never happen again. What was done with the Middlesex Water Contract. (Referring to the deal by the previous Mayor which brought huge debt to the City.)

Fehrenbach replied, “It is up to the Council to do that, but what I can say is that with this Mayor and Council, this will never happen.”

USA-PA Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy), Inc. operates the City of Perth Amboy’s water and wastewater systems under a 20-year agreement. USA-PA serves approximately 20,000 customers, most of whom are served by both the water and wastewater systems. (info from www.middlesexwa- ter.com.)