FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

January 8, 2006

Get Ready for the Parkway Water BPU Rate Hearing

Last year I asked all residents to write state regulators opposing a rate increase being sought by Parkway Water Company (Parkway), a private utility that distributes water to parts of the Ramtown section of Howell. Parkway had petitioned NJ state regulators for an increase in the rates they charge Howell customers. They filed the increase with the NJ Board of Public Utilities (the BPU); the agency that oversees and approved the rates charged by private utilities. Their hearing is slated for later this month and so now more needs to be done to oppose their requested increase.

Shockingly, Parkway has asked for an outrageous and unprecedented 105% increase over what they are charging today. This is totally unacceptable and the Township Council and I will do all we can to oppose this increase. To date we have sent letters to the President of the BPU and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection opposing this increase. As many residents know, there had been issues with the quality of the drinking water being supplied by Parkway. At present, the suspect wells are not being used and Parkway is purchasing water from the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (the BTMUA) to serve Ramtown. That water has been tested and is safe to drink and use. Yet, Parkway still does not have a permanent solution to the issue.

While Parkway must pay the BTMUA for the water it is now supplying to our residents, they have failed to address the problem on a long term basis. In my opinion, it is unreasonable to expect Howell residents to absorb a 105% rate increase; especially when we do not yet have Parkway’s long term plan.

Parkway’s rate hearing is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 at Middle School South in Howell. The tentative time is 7pm. It is critical that every resident come out that evening and voice their opposition to this increase. Even if you do not reside in the Ramtown section, please come out and support your fellow neighbor as such an increase could be passed upon other parts of the community if Parkway is allowed to get away with this.

In addition, I continue to encourage all residents to also call and write the BPU and the NJ Ratepayer Advocate’s Office to officially lodge your opposition. They made be reached at the locations and numbers below:

Board of Public Utilities                                            NJ Ratepayer’s Advocate Office

Two Gateway Center                                                  31 Clinton Street       

Newark, NJ 07102                                                     Newark, NJ 07101

Phone:  973-648-2026                                             Phone:    973-648-2690

We must come together as a community to oppose this unreasonable action by Parkway Water Company. Together, as a united community standing together for what is right and what is fair, we can help the great people of Ramtown and our township at large. Please be there on January 26^th and please write and call the BPU immediately.

In the event you have any questions with this or any issue in the interim, please call anytime or email me at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us.