FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

May 1, 2006

Parkway Water Rate Increase Request Update

The State Board of Public Utilities has nearly completed taking testimony from interested parties on the recent request from the Parkway Water Company to obtain an outrageous and unprecedented 105% increase over what they are charging today. Their request continues to be totally unacceptable and the Township Council and I continue to do all we can to oppose this increase. Earlier in the year, several hundred residents attended a meeting to provide testimony to the regulatory agency that will evaluate Parkway’s request. The entire community stood together in opposition of the Parkway increase and many great comments were placed on the official record in defense of the residents of Ramtown. I was especially pleased that so many people from other parts of the township were there supporting our Ramtown neighbors.

With the Board of Public Utilities coming to a decision, we must step up our efforts in opposing this outrageous request for the 105% increase. All residents appreciate the need for business to make a modest profit and maintain a quality operation. However, in the case of Parkway, in my view, they are not deserving of such reasonable treatment. In my opinion, they dragged their heels in sharing water quality results that have caused most to lose total confidence in the quality of their drinking water. Many have since purchased expensive water treatment systems or are purchasing expensive bottled water. To these residents, they already got their increase. To ask for 105% more is out of the question.

Thankfully Parkway Water has subcontracted with the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority to distribute clean and safe water to their customer so no one drinks or uses Parkway’s water any longer. Plus, recent scientific results reveal that the pipes in people’s homes have not been negatively impacted by any scaling. Never the less, additional and unreasonable increases in rates is not warranted at this time. Accordingly, I am asking every Howell resident to please call and email the NJ rate Payer Advocate who is paid to help defend and represent rate payers in matters like this. I also ask that everyone also call and write the Chairperson of the Board of Public Utilities as well. Their contact information is:

                                                Name                                       Phone Number Email

NJ Rate Payer Advocate          Ms. Seena M. Singh                 973-624-1047             njratepayer.rpa.state.nj.us

Board of Public Utilities            Ms. Jeanne M. Fox                  800-624-0241             kpapsun@bpu.state.nu.us

We must continue to work 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. In the event you have any questions with this or any issue, or if I can be of assistance to you on any other matter, please call anytime or email me at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us.