Middlesex Water Rate Increases Approved, Marlboro Residents See Spike in Bills

Marlboro Township's may have paid off.

The Board of Public Utilities approved a 12.7 percent increase for Middlesex Water customers, far below the 17.47 percent increase originally proposed by the company.

The private Middlesex Water Company supplies the Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority, which in turn supplies Gordon's Corner Water.

In March, Marlboro Township joined surrounding towns in a fight to keep Middlesex Water rates from increasing drastically.

"It's better for the rate payer and the tax payer for us to pool our resources," Mayor Jon Hornik said.

Hornik said the rate increase seen this year for MTMUA and Gordon's Corner customers was an increase in anticipation of the BPU's rate approval, and customers will not see another increase this year.

"This increase was really just caused by Middlesex Water," he said.

Hornik said the 2012 rate increase for Marlboro customers was the first since the water authority was dissolved and absorbed into the township.

Middlesex Water is justifying the increase with a continued capital improvements plan and an increase in treatment, fuel, electricity, labor, benefits and other operations and maintenance expenses, according to Market Watch.