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Bridgewater Municipal Consent Public Notice

BPU DOCKET NO. WE23040233

NOTICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES OF MUNICIPAL CONSENT HEARING

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF NEW JERSEY-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF A MUNICIPAL CONSENT GRANTED BY THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER, SOMERSET COUNTY

BPU DOCKET NO.  WE23040233

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, on April 17, 2023, New Jersey-American Water Company, Inc. (“NJAWC”) filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“Board”) pursuant to  N.J.S.A. 48:2-14, N.J.S.A. 48:19-17, N.J.S.A. 48:19-20 and N.J.A.C. 14:1-5.5, and such other applicable regulations and statutes, to approve a municipal consent ordinance (“Ordinance 23-07”) granted to NJAWC by the Township of Bridgewater (“Township”). 

The Township adopted Ordinance 23-07 on March 30, 2023, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:3-11 to 15, and N.J.S.A. 48:13-11 granting municipal consent to NJAWC to construct, lay, maintain and operate the necessary wastewater mains, pipes and appurtenances and to provide wastewater collection services to approximately 43 residents, businesses, and government buildings in the Township formerly served by the Borough of Somerville. NJAWC already provides water service to the Township by virtue of previous ordinances adopted by the Township and municipal consent petitions approved by the Board.

NO INCREASE IN RATES WILL RESULT FROM THE PETITION.  If the petition is approved, NJAWC will adopt and implement the Borough of Somerville’s wastewater service rates for these customers.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a virtual hearing on the petition has been scheduled for August 23, 2023 at 10:30 a.m., which will be presided over by a hearing officer designated by the Board.  Members of the public are invited to listen to the hearing and express their views on the petition by joining via video conference by going to https://bit.ly/44WFyFf via the internet at the designated time or dialing 1-862-294-2638 and entering the conference ID: 551 944 123#.  Such comments will be made a part of the final record in the proceeding. 

Copies of the petition are available for inspection at the offices of NJAWC located at 1 Water Street, Camden, New Jersey 08102, or online here.  Copies may also be obtained by calling NJAWC at 856-955-4001.  Members of the public are invited to attend the hearing.  Written comments may also be submitted to the attention of the Honorable Sherri Golden, Secretary at the Board of Public Utilities, 44 South Clinton Avenue, 1st  Floor, P.O. Box 350, Trenton, NJ 08625-0350, or via email to board.secretary@bpu.nj.gov.  Persons submitting written comments should include Docket No. WE23040233 in their submissions.

A copy of this Notice is being served upon the Clerk of the Township of Bridgewater.  Further information and copies of the petition may also be obtained at the Board’s Offices located at 44 South Clinton Avenue, 1st Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625.  Any members of the public who wish to inspect the petition at the Board should contact the Board’s Division of Case Management at 609-292-0806 or board.secretary@bpu.nj.gov.

In order to encourage full participation in this opportunity for public comment, please submit any requests for special accommodation at least 72 hours prior to the hearing to Denise Venuti-Free at 856-955-4001.

                                                NEW JERSEY-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY, INC.

                                                1 Water Street

                                                Camden, NJ 08102

                                                By:  Mark McDonough, President               

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on Twitter and Facebook.