Borough Buzzing About Water and Sewer Service Price Increase

What’s the latest buzz in Collingswood? In , residents discussed their opinions about the borough’s recent adoption of the new 2011 municipal budget, which would increase property taxes by an average of $78 instead of the originally proposed $150 average increase.  However, water and sewer services will be raised by $48 per year—$32 for water and $16 for sewer. 

In regards to these increases, Mayor James Maley said, “Yes, we’ve taken a portion of water and sewer surplus and used it for the municipal budget.”

In this week’s Borough Beeswax, residents were asked to discuss their opinions on these changes.

Chris Bullard, an eight-year Collingswood resident, said, “Taxes are taxes. I’m prepared to pay them.”

However, he added, “I would like to know what (the taxes) are going for. I anticipate taxes going up—I don’t mind paying taxes. If it goes toward our municipality, I would like to know the reason for the increase. But maybe I’m just not as invested in these matters as I should be.”

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, was not quite as accepting of the news. She said, “I think it’s bizarre. I’m actually more concerned about bigger issues.” In regards to such bigger issues, this woman cited layoffs and spending caps.

And because last week’s Borough Beeswax presented the opinions of residents regarding the new budget, several of these residents have returned to follow-up and share their opinions now that they know of the water and sewer surplus increases.

Alison Mancinelli, 37, questioned last week if the borough could have opted for slightly higher taxes and still grant police officers their yearly raise.

In regards to the water and sewer issue, Mancinelli said, “That hardly seems fair. I don’t quite understand how water and sewer fees will be raised, but the fee won’t necessarily go toward water and sewer.”

Mancinelli, a lifelong Collingswood resident was skeptical, adding, “I guess it’s supposed to make homeowners feel better by making it look like they’re only paying a $78 increase—at least on paper. It’s all semantics. What about the police officers? Will they be getting their raises? I doubt it.”

As it stands, no, the police officers will not be getting their annual raises this year, but Mancinelli was not alone in her skepticism.

Husband and wife, Jenn and Jon Ugolick said last week that the tax increase and lack of police raises were par for the course in these difficult financial times, but upon hearing the news of the water and sewer surplus, the two raised their eyebrows.

“I feel like that was a manipulation,” said Jenn Ugolick. “And clearly, the taxes really didn’t go down at all (from the originally proposed $150 average tax increase).”

On average, homeowners will be paying $26 less than the original budget proposal once sewer and water fees are considered along with property taxes.

“Why hide it within another fee?” questioned Jon Ugolick. “So then what else are they disguising in our taxes? So does what I pay in other public works services—does that go to pay something else? I’d much rather them be upfront and honest than hide the tax within another bill.”

In regards to the apparent “disguise,” Mayor Maley claimed at the June 1 budget hearing, “It’s not underhanded in any way; (the public) is aware of what’s happening. We take money from Peter to pay Paul all the time to keep us afloat and to prevent raising taxes. It’s how the municipal government system works.”