What Happened In June 2020 with Water & Sewer Increases?

Tax Increase verses Water Sewer Fee Increase; what happened?

Earlier this year in June the majority republican council rejected a minor “municipal tax increase” to remedy the past practice of using water and sewer surplus to compensate for budget shortfalls. The proposed increase would cost local taxpayers an average of $4.32. Based on the 2019 average for Parsippany, an average home is valued at $310,736.00. If not mistaken this would have paid for the needed water and sewer infrastructure that is in need of repairs and upgrades.

Three Wells Down and more

We now have 3-Wells down due to water deficiency; one well having contamination issues that cannot be accommodated through treatment and land use issues. Other infrastructure issues such as pipes also exist. Now that we need money for the water sewer system, we are lacking. Water is also in the highest water deficit in the region, due to usage, depletion and lack of recharge due mostly to overdevelopment.

Equitable or Not, Fee or Tax?
Administration officials at the time came up with the Tax increase mentioned above. A partisan cry went up against any such tax increase no matter how meager, apparently affording to live in an average home of $310,000 a five dollar or less increase would somehow break their budget.
Now we have the increase in the water and sewage fees, which are even more of an increase. Is not a fee another word for tax, and how is a fee more acceptable than a tax?

Referendum not suggested
Why was this issue building for many years; but ignored not put to a referendum, as to which method would be fairer to all according to their means suggested, a tax or a fee. For example; we all now pay a set fee for sewage $71; and our water bill has increased for minimum users $8.00+.
The contention is this, that minimum users of water are the losers, in this short change increase. If all pay $71, no matter their incomes; but ignored for their minimum use, or conservation, they are being held to pay for excessive users, in their sewage increase. My bill rarely exceeded $60 for sewer at minimum usage; paying more in summer, than winter. Although increased water use brings higher costs the sewage fee will now remain the same; no matter if we don’t know how many times anyone flushes the toilet we know that increased use is part of the equation in sewage plant use, and all water goes past the meter, be it toilet or swimming pool.

Was the $4.38 Average Increase a fantasy or a possible solution?
Lastly if the $4.38 average in it’s cumulative could actually pay for the needed infrastructure required and more;( 11-14 jobs lost) this new fee increase will gain us even more in surplus, so will it again be foolishly used as before, with no future thought of entropy of the aging system or wells having been depleted due to consumption, drawdown or contamination? Contaminations caused by private sources that we are now responsible for in costs, and quality of life issues, in the overdeveloped landscape of Parsippany. What good has the ratable chase done for the average taxpayer in the long term?

Last Example: Water utility bill minimum use $79.76, New Increase minimum use $111.43..An increase of $31.67..An increase of roughly $10-$11 a month..So what was the noise about an average $5.00 a month increase? ..

Due diligence in small matters matter.. We may therefore distinguish "true" from "titular" prelates in our council members who rejected the tax over the fee; then there was only the fee.

Water is a Public Trust but not subsidized under corporate rule

In a just and equitable democracy water, air and earth would be protected more forcefully by good government. Our water is commonly owned by all of us, and the trustees are responsible for ensuring that our water is protected and preserved now and for future generations. It's sources and infrastructure would also be subsidized by federal tax dollars. Imagine if water, including municipal supplies were so, subsidized as gas and oil is, by private corporate power.the same power that evades paying taxes, while "we the people" pay for their private wealth, the same wealth that is now destroying the planet in it's scale, ignoring science and the pollution it inflicts on all. ..Rooted in Roman law, the public trust doctrine recognizes the public right to many natural resources including “the air, running water, the sea and its shore.” The public trust doctrine requires the sovereign, or state, to hold in trust designated resources for the benefit of the people.