I normally don't write letters to newspapers or other media sources, but recently I felt compelled to write my local rag to voice my opinion of the locat Utilities Authority. To all who may read this and are in my neck of the woods here it is. For all of you from parts unknown, you'll have to bare with me.
I'm getting a bit fed up with the BTMUA, for those who care that's acronym for the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority. I'm hopeful I'm not the only one to remember this but in the not too distant past, a certain Mayor Scarpelli opposed the construction of the new reservoir because he felt it was not in the best interest of the taxpayers of Brick to have to pay the cost of constructing the reservoir. At that time, the BTMUA responded with a statement that the cost would not be borne by the Brick Taxpayers; because it was already accounted for in their previous budgets and they had the money. I want to point out that I'm not a voting Democrat and actually lean more towards the Republican ideology, but it was our Democrat Mayor who voiced his lone opposition. Now, here we are years later with a new reservoir and the BTMUA has announced that they have to raise our rates to pay for the reservoir. Then to really make matters worse, the BTMUA had the nerve to (1) initially restrict access to the walkway surrounding the reservoir, (2) they built a reservoir with fishing platforms but don't intend on stocking the reservoir and (3) they ring the facility with lights from my accounts remain lit most of the night. It was only after a myriad of complaints were voiced that they increased the times when the walkway can be accessed. Furthermore, as a person with bad knees and who prefers bicycling to walking, the further restrictions placed on use of the "walkway" still sticks me like a knife, but I digress, back to the BTMUA: There are continuing stories in every local and regional newspaper reporting on the nepotism and likely corruption. I may sound a bit cynical, but I haven't seen a government or pseudo-government agency yet that didn't practice some sort of nepotism and people are always eluding to corruption. So, I don't understand why everyone is surprise. I take those things for granted. What I don't take for granted are stupid decisions. In the October 6th edition of the Brick Township Bulletin there is a story entitled "Brick will sell water to Howell". This issue has been going on for quite a while, but until recently it remained undecided due to several reasons. The conclusion to sell water to the Parkway Water Company seemed like a good business decision to me (thinking there would be a profit in it), so I did not think to oppose it. But now, unless it is incorrect, the article reports that the Parkway customers will be paying 95% of what the residents of Brick pay, with an explanation that our fees are more because we have to pay the cost of billing, office maintenance, and infrastructure improvements. This just about made my head blow up. In my opinion, the BTMUA should not be spending a minute of time negotiating with any other municipality or water company for the sale of water unless that sale is going to directly offset the cost (read: "lower the rates") to the taxpayers of Brick Township. If this is what my water/sewer bill is paying for (people spending time negotiating arrangements that isn't going to save me money) then I say do away with the BTMUA, absorb the operations and administration into the Township (proposed by Councilperson Kathy Russell; a Democrats) and keep the water for when we (the residents of Brick Township) need it.
So, like I said, if you're from my neck of the woods (like gigglechick), this all makes sense, but if you're from Crox's neck (see my links to other blogs), you won't give a hoot.
I'm hoping I'll have time to post more of my gripes.
Best wishes all.
