HTA December 2022 Newsletter

A key highlight this month is the first reading of the proposed ordinance about water and sewer fees for 2023. The Township has worked hard to cover the fixed costs of the system (please remember that all of the infrastructure work is bonded and this is in addition to maintenance costs) while also creating a fee structure that increases water rates as usage increases (heavy users pay more).

Water is sourced from other towns on LBI and sewage treatment is sourced from Ocean County. There have been significant increases in these charges within the last year.

Thank you for the feedback regarding volunteerism. While we have been successful in the past at publicizing dates well in advance of the event, we will try to provide even more notice where possible. Also, we will experiment with other ways of reaching everyone beyond just email and Facebook posts.

With Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza just around the corner, the HTA Trustees wish everyone a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy 2023!

December Highlights

1. Beach Conditions
2. Windmill Status
3. Township Ordinances Approved on Second Reading
4. Township Ordinances Moved on First Reading
5. Water and Sewer Fees
6. First Responder Support
7. Vacant Home/Emergency Contact Info

Updates

1. Beach Conditions
   • Please continue to be extra careful if you are going to the beach given the erosion and steep drop-offs. And let’s keep our fingers crossed for a mild winter.
2. Windmill Status
   • The Joint Council of Taxpayers Associations of LBI’s latest update (#8) of available information will be listed on the homepage of the HTA website later this month. Please note, these summaries do not represent any formal position on the part of the HTA or the JCTA but are the result of efforts by the JCTA to present as much factual and objective information as possible so that people are better educated about the wind projects. It remains up to you to assess the information to come to an informed conclusion about the planned project.
3. Relevant Ordinances Passed on Second Reading
   • 22-23C: Clarifies and confirms the flood elevation level in Flood Hazard Protection Area – V, a FEMA classification for coastal areas that are subject to frequent inundation.
   • 22-24C: Proposes a standard way of measuring buildings erected on bayfront lots and lots on lagoons and confirms a maximum height of 34’ for those structures; raises the fee for installing sheds, grade-level decks, pavers and similar construction to $75 from $50.
4. Relevant Ordinance Moved on First Reading
   • 22-25C: Proposes new 2023 water and sewer rates. Each homeowner’s base rate will be $150 per quarter for water and $150 per quarter for sewer (a total of $1,200 per year). Additionally, you will pay for your actual water usage based on a sliding scale of fees starting with the first gallon used each quarter (see #5 below). This ordinance also includes a $5 increase in the cost of pre-season and seasonal beach badges.
   • You can find the ordinance at: Water/Sewer Fees
   • Note: To improve readability, export or save the ordinance as a PDF to your computer, vertically format each page and then save the document.
   • This ordinance will come up for approval on second reading on Monday, December 19 at 4pm in the year-end Commissioners meeting.
5. Water and Sewer Fees
   • WATER: Your quarterly water bill will include a base water charge plus an additional charge based on the amount of water you use per quarter. The base water charge covers the Township’s cost of maintaining water service to your property. The schedule below shows the charges per quarter per unit in a residential property.
   • Base water charge $150 per quarter, per single-family residence, plus:
     0 – 15,000 gallons @ $1 per 1,000 gallons
     15,001 – 25,000 gallons @ $2 per 1,000 gallons
     25,001 – 50,000 gallons @ $5 per 1,000 gallons
     50,001 – 100,000 gallons @ $10 per 1,000 gallons
     100,001 – 150,000 gallons @ $13.50 per 1,000 gallons
     150,001+ gallons @ $18 per 1,000 gallons
   • SEWER: Billed quarterly at $150 per quarter, for a single-family residence and $300 per quarter for a duplex (two-family residence). This fee is used to pay for the cost of maintenance and repairs in the sewer service. In addition, an annual surcharge of $100 will be collected during 2023 from all properties that used more than 150,000 gallons of water during 2022. A decision about subsequent surcharges will be determined around this time every year to take effect the following year.
   • The app to be able to track your own water usage remains delayed; delivery is expected in April but has been rescheduled several times.
6. First Responder Support
   • Our volunteer system throughout the Island is facing severe challenges. Please consider supporting our nearest First Responders this year. Donations are greatly appreciated but volunteers are at critical level.
     • Beach Haven First Aid
     • Beach Haven Fire
     • Sandpaper article on First Responders
7. Vacant Home/Emergency Contact Info
   • The Township police department asks that all homeowners provide emergency contact information, especially if their homes will be vacant in the offseason. Homeowners who are away can request to have their homes checked by the police: LBI Township Forms Online
   • Mayor Mancini also reminded everyone who has not fully winterized their home to be sure to turn off the water if you will be out of the house for any significant time.