Sewer fees to increase beginning in March

UPDATE for 03/30/2016: The informational letter that was mailed along with the recent Sewer Bills (linked below) stated, incorrectly, that the Borough had not increased sewer fees for nearly two decades. Sewer fees were actually last increased in 2006 — one decade ago. We apologize for the oversight.

As many of you are aware, the Borough of Palmyra will soon be completing extensive, NJ DEP-mandated improvements to our Waste Water Treatment Facility, more popularly referred to as our Sewer Plant.

These improvements cost nearly $3.5 million and included major equipment upgrades and the latest sewage treatment technology. In addition, the life of the Sewer plant has been extended an additional 50 years.

An unfortunate result of these improvements however, is having to pay for it, thus the necessity to increase sewer fees for all users; residential, commercial and industrial customers alike.

The increase to our residential customers is $23 per half, or $46 on the year, for at total annual fee of $396 –  a 13% increase over the previous $350 fee. Commercial and industrial properties should see a similar increase (dependent on their water usage).

Discounts for our senior citizens still apply however, with two programs available; a $30 discount for seniors who meet lower income eligibility requirements and another $20 discount for all seniors, 65 and over, as long as they live in the home.

It’s very important to note that even with this increase Palmyra’s sewer fees are still just average when compared to all other municipalities in the county and region.

Sewer bills for the first half billing cycle will be mailed to our residential customers beginning Wednesday, March 24th. The due date has been extended to April 25th. Commercial and industrial customers will receive their sewer bills as soon as the Borough receives water usage information from NJAWater. We anticipate receiving the information and processing the bills in 1 to 2 weeks.

For more detailed information about your Sewer Plant and the reasons behind the improvements, please refer to the letter mailed with each sewer bill, which can also be found HERE.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our Tax Office at 856-829-6100, Monday to Friday, between the hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You should also always feel free to contact Mayor Michelle Arnold at 856-829-6100 ext. 126, or via email at marnold@boroughofpalmyra.com, or Administrator John Gural at ext. 125 or jgural@boroughofpalmyra.com.

Thank for your time and understanding.