Newtown Township Sewer Rates are Going UP

Newtown's Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed last night to another cost increase for residents of Newtown Township.  This increase is for those residents who are serviced by public sewers.  Last year's rates for SR2 which are homes serviced by the Radnor-Haverford-Marple Sewer Authority were $4.35 per 1,000 gallons of water usage; $243 for the well rate; and $25 for a sewer certification. This year's rates for SR2 have been increased to $4.70 per 1000 gallons of water usage(increased by 35 cents), $260 for the well rates; and $25 for a sewer certification. 

Last year the rates in the SR-3 Sewer District which are those homes that are serviced by the Central Delaware County Authority as well as those homes that utilize the Springton Pointe Wastewater Treatment plant were as follows: $5.50 per 1,000 gallons of water usage; $273 for the well rate; and $25 for a sewer certification. This year’s rate goes up to $6.05(increased by 55 cents) per 1000 gallons; $300 for the well rate and $25 for a sewer certification.

This means that if you use approximately 250 gallons per day, last year in SR-3, you were charged $501.88.  This year your bill will be $552.06.

In what could be a bit of a bright spot but was confusing to me as presented, the Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise an ordinance which would allow residents to install a second water meter on their properties which could be used to measure water that is not going into the sewer system.  For example, this could be water used to fill a pool or water used for irrigation.  Since sewer rent is based on water usage, the ordinance proposes to allow those with a second meter to reduce their sewer rent by the water usage tracked by the second meter.

Apparently, though, both SAP and Terrazza have previously had their sewer bills reduced because of water uses not related to sewers. This means,even if the Supervisors wait to enact this ordinance, those homeowners serviced by public sewers that utilize irrigation and/or have a swimming pool are also encouraged to ask for the same treatment as these commercial entities.  They should ask that the township reduce their bills for their water usage not related to sewers.  

You can add these increases to the all the increase brought to you by your locally elected official this year including: your county tax which was increased by 2.8 percent, your township taxes which had a 2.9 percent increase and the proposed 3.75 percent increase in your school taxes. 

In addition to adding to residents expenses last night, Supervisors voted to advertise an amendment to the township's zoning ordinance to change the zoning for some areas of the township. 

Even though there was a room filled with residents and even though many of those residents offered public comment which asked the Supervisors to reconsider this amendment, the Supervisors unanimously voted to advertise a hearing to consider changing zoning in specific areas of the township.  

In his discussion of why Supervisor Catania was looking to change zoning on a specific area of West Chester Pike from its current residential zoning to a CR zoning(commercial residential), Mr. Catania offered that he was not worried about those who live here now.

If Mr. Catania and all the Supervisors who voted last night on these issues are not worried about those who live here now, who are they worried about?  And even though the Supervisors offered explanations for the increased costs and what seems to me to be spot changes to zoning, it makes me wonder, who are the Newtown Supervisors and other elected County and School Board members worried about?  It sure doesn't seem to be the residents.