HOWELL – An ordinance prolongs the deadline for Freewood Acres residents to connect to the public water system. While this extension aims to accommodate those impacted, a segment of the community continues to express discontent over the mandate that necessitates the conversion of their wells.
According to Township Manager Joe Clark, the history behind the requirement dates back to 2016, when a sewer-related project began. The ordinance put in place at that time required the hookup to sewer. When water became part of the plan, discussions were held with New Jersey American Water Company regarding the payment structure.
The funding for the project was provided by New Jersey American, with an agreement that residents would be required to connect as a result. This led to the first “must connect” condition in 2019. Subsequent ordinances have granted residents more time to complete their connections, with the new ordinance extending the deadline until May 1, 2025.
Clark estimated that approximately 350 to 375 households have already completed the required conversions. However, there are still about 250 homes that have yet to comply with the mandate.
The consequences would have been significant if the council had decided against the ordinance to extend the time for homeowners to connect to the public water system.
“Everybody was supposed to have hooked up a month ago,” Clark said before the council voted. “Water bills are going to start coming out.”
Freewood Acres resident Tracie Harper acknowledged that she understood the need for the sewer project. Harper recalled a “horrific” stench of sewer gases that made it through her neighborhood. Nonetheless, Harper contended that she and her neighbors should not be required to shut down their wells and move to the public water system.
“It cost $12,000 to put my well in in 2009,” Harper shared. “We spent that money to dig a really deep well; my well is 210 feet, and it’s clean.”
According to Harper, the estimated cost of decommissioning her well and connecting to the public water system is at least $10,000. Additionally, she expressed a sense of greater confidence in the quality of her well water compared to the water supplied by New Jersey American.
Financial assistance in the form of grant money is accessible for sewer and water conversions; however, it is subject to strict income criteria. As a result, some residents may be deemed ineligible for this financial relief due to their income level. Nevertheless, the township is actively working to modify the income requirements and raise the cap on available funds to expand eligibility and assist a broader range of residents.
Harper asked township officials to provide information regarding a state assembly bill that would appropriate $2.125 million for Howell’s drinking water infrastructure project. Howell’s Interim Township Attorney Jean Cipriani reviewed the bill and said it had not passed, therefore not including an appropriation of funds.
Freewood Acres residents ask the Town Council to reconsider its mandate requiring them to shut down their wells and connect to the public water system. (Screenshot by Stephanie Faughnan)
Failure to adhere to the agreement established with New Jersey American Water would require the township to reimburse a portion of the construction project at a rate of $1,900 per house that remains unconnected.
“We have a substantial number that have not, so we’re looking at a rather large refund,” said Clark. “For a project that benefits this particular neighborhood, and which would end up having to be shared by all of the various taxpayers.”
Harper offered to cover her share by writing a check for $1,900 at the council meeting. However, her proposal was not addressed or discussed.
Another Freewood Acres homeowner, Glenn Verkruysse, said he did not believe the township had the legal authority to “condemn our wells that have passed water tests.” Verkruysse also questioned the motives in the decision-making process.
“Why the big push,” questioned Verkruysse. “Why is it in somebody’s best interests to get us hooked up?”
Verkruysse said he and other residents hesitated to take legal action against the town. However, it was a consideration if there appeared to be no other option.
“As far as our authority to force people to hook up,” said Clark. “There’s state law that allows municipalities to regulate public health, safety, and welfare – water being one of them.”
All properties included in the Freewood Acres project not yet connected to the public water system face additional restrictions. Water hookups must be established before a resale or deed, or title transfer.
Water connections will be required before Freewood Acres residents are issued building permits, land use permits, or certificates of occupancy. Anyone found violating the ordinance requirements is subject to fines of up to $2,000 per day.
Clark acknowledged that certain circumstances may warrant exceptions. For residents who have specific issues or concerns related to drilled wells during the construction process, the township is willing to meet and discuss them on a case-by-case basis.
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