Water rate hikes, fee proposed

The Township Council introduced an ordinance to increase the water rate at its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The ordinance would boost the rate to $4.73 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption effective Jan. 1.

The rate would rise to $4.85 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption in 2026 and to $4.97 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption in 2027.

Increases of 2.5 percent would continue annually.

In addition, a water capital improvement fee of $20 for all water meters would be added in the first-quarter billing of 2025 and will continue in each billing cycle.

The ordinance sets minimum quarterly service charges depending on the size of the water meter. They range from $33.38 for a 5/8-inch by 3/4-inch meter to $1,376.88 for an 8-inch meter.

Township administrator James Zepp said the increases and new fee are needed to cover the water utility’s costs. Municipal utilities are meant to be self-sustaining, with fees covering the costs.

The last rate increase was in 2009, he pointed out.

Ralph Carchia, the township’s assistant engineer, said many capital improvements are expected to be needed in the next five years, especially with increased regulation of PFAS, a group called “forever chemicals.”

Sparta has “a large, complex water system,” with 31 wells, three separate water systems and 19 different treatment points, Carchia said.

The council also introduced an ordinance that would increase a variety of fees, including those for recreation programs, construction and fire prevention permits and inspections, and for police services and the cost of police reports.

Zepp said township department heads requested the increases to cover their costs. The fees also are compared with similar ones in other nearby towns.

Other ordinances introduced:

• Would prohibit parking on the east side of Market Street, a private road in the North Village complex. The road is owned by the Stone Gate at Sparta Homeowners Association. The ordinance would permit the township police to enforce the no-parking rule.

• Would implement financial changes recommended in the annual audit.

• Would transfer funds from some township accounts to others.

Public hearings and final votes will be held at the council’s Dec. 10 meeting.

Garbage contract costs

The council approved a resolution to appropriate an additional $60,000 to cover the cost of the township’s new contract for garbage and recycling pickup.

Zepp said Sparta reached a five-year contract with Blue Diamond Disposal earlier this year; the higher cost of that contract was not covered in the 2024 municipal budget.

Council members also approved a resolution setting a solid waste utility service charge at $115 per quarter effective Jan. 1.

The fee will be charged to customers each quarter for the next four years to cover the cost of the new Blue Diamond contract, Zepp said.

The council approved a resolution to seek an extension on a state Department of Transportation grant for the Sparta Streetscape project.

Consulting engineer Cory Stoner said the extension would give the township more time and a chance to restructure a project to extend sidewalks from Mohawk Avenue to Winona Parkway.

The original plan was to extend sidewalks from Mohawk to the Sparta theater complex. The state grant is for $232,890, but the total cost of the project is estimated at nearly $1 million.

Communications update

Police Chief Jeffrey McCarrick said an updated first-response communications system, funded with a federal grant awarded in 2023, has been operating for the past two weeks.

”With this advancement, we were able to benefit radio communication for our Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service (and) our DPW (Department of Public Works) services.”

The total cost of the project was $889,855. The federal grant provided $632,000 and $257,771 came from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The department has received a $7,000 state grant to fund driving while intoxicated (DWI) enforcement efforts through Jan. 1.

So far this year, Sparta police have made 49 DWI arrests, compared with 41 in 2023. In 2024, 60 DWI arrests were made during the same period, he said.

The department continues to work on its motor vehicle crash study, which will list the causes of the crashes, he added.

Zepp reported that the Sparta Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary donated $5,000 to the department for the purchase of two rescue saws and three combustible gas detectors. The gas detectors are needed because of the addition of natural gas service in Sparta.

Councilwoman Christine Quinn received the 2024 Sussex County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year Award, he noted.

Councilman Josh Hertzberg was absent from the meeting.