10 Homes May Opt Out of Water Project

And then there were 61.

Ten Towaco homeowners who have their own wells and were never members of a private water company that asked to be added to Montville Township's water system won't automatically be charged for the associated million-dollar water project, the Township Committee announced at its Tuesday meeting.

Committee members agreed should be revised to remove 10 homes from a list of 71 homes that could be billed, taking out the homes that were added because the new water line could be seen as adding value to their homes even though they were never members of the Plausha Park Water Company that asked for it.

Instead of deciding what amount—if any—to assess the 10 homes at a later date, the town will give homeowners the option of paying $1,500 for a curb stop to allow easier access to the town's water system. If they choose to connect, they would then pay the typical fee of about $3,600. Otherwise, the water line would pass them by.

So, if those 10 homes are happy with their wells and they aren't members of the private Plausha Park Water Company, they won't have to pay a cent—beyond what any other township taxpayer is paying—for a planned water line in the Towaco section of the township even though they initially were told that might be the case.

Township officials previously said they didn't know whether any given homeowner would be charged thousands of dollars or nothing at all for the project and that the bills would be worked out at a later time.

"We labored over this issue," Mayor Tim Braden said. "We believe it's fair and equitable for everyone involved."

Committee members said the unknown charges caused some anxiety in the community.

The remaining 61 homeowners each could be charged around $10,000 over 20 years for the project, but township officials don't know what the exact amount will be.