The discussion around the Western Canal road pump station highlighted the need for action after one of the two pumps failed. The parts required for repair were not easily available from manufacturers, prompting an industry vendor to recommend replacing the pump drive at an estimated cost of $150,000. The urgency was underscored by the potential risk of having to bypass sewage operations if the remaining pump also failed. This situation led to a proposal to classify it as an emergency purchase, allowing for a quicker resolution. The committee’s deliberation emphasized the critical nature of maintaining the pump station’s functionality to avoid service disruptions for the township.

In parallel, the committee reviewed the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, which introduced a connection fee of $4,337, up from $3,915 the previous year. The budget projected a 3.2% increase in revenue, largely attributed to this fee adjustment, set to take effect on November 1, 2026. While the administration costs were reduced by 4.8% due to vacant positions, debt service expenses saw a significant rise due to loan repayments, primarily sourced from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank at favorable rates. The overall appropriations were detailed at $17.4 million, with stability emphasized despite the fluctuations in certain expenditure categories.

The budget also accounted for various capital projects, including a substantial $20 million rehabilitation of the Wesson Canal pump station. For the current year, $350,000 was slated for a land easement payment associated with this project. Additionally, the Commerce Drive pump station was nearing completion with a total project cost of approximately $2 million. Plans for building security upgrades, Belmont trunk rehabilitation, and Shirley Avenue pump station rehabilitation were also discussed, with funding primarily drawn from cash reserves rather than new bonds.

A notable aspect of the meeting was the consideration of changing billing practices for sewer services. The committee deliberated on the potential implementation of a per-gallon billing system, which could better align charges with actual sewer contributions. Concerns were raised about the possible backlash from users, as water consumption does not directly equate to sewer usage due to factors like evaporation and industrial processes. It was suggested that a scientific approach could be developed to estimate sewer contributions more accurately, potentially leading to more equitable billing.

The variability in water usage across industries, such as data centers and cannabis cultivation, was discussed, highlighting the need for tailored billing practices. The committee acknowledged that while some municipalities use per-gallon charges, these do not always reflect the true cost of sewer services. The meeting concluded with plans to further investigate these billing practices and the potential for retroactively adjusting water bills to reflect accurate usage.