Senior housing may get reduced sewer rate

Sparta - Senior citizens planning to live in the new age-restricted housing units under construction may be charged less to flush their toilets than residents in similar-sized dwellings in Sparta. The township council is looking into establishing a new billing category for sewer use in the new deed-restricted adult communities at Roundtop, which will be located behind the bowling alley off Woodport Road, and at the Hamlet, being built along Main Street near Goble Funeral Home. Councilman Scott Seelagy said the town should first investigate if a separate set of fees for 55-and-over adult communities is legal or appropriate. “Maybe you can do something like that,” he said. “My argument is what’s the rationale or basis to treat similar-situated people any differently. I don’t see how a zone gets a better (fee) based on zoning law. It doesn’t mean that their toilets flush more than another one’s over here.” According to supporters of the dual-level fees, the ordinance amendment would bring the township current with user fees established for restricted adult communities by the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority, in accordance to state Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Under the county fee schedule, a one-bedroom residence in a restricted adult community is charged at a rate of 0.44 equivalent dwelling units per 110 gallons of sewer discharge per day. Single bedroom townhomes in Sparta Commons are charged 0.60 EDUs per 140 gallons per day. Township engineer Charles Ryan said the difference amounts to a $49 saving per quarter for seniors. “We’re applying DEP flow numbers,” he said. “We’re just following suit on the averages that this type of unit will have this amount of usage.” Connection fees would increase based on the number of bedrooms; however, adult community residents would still see a savings compared to private homes with the same number of bedrooms. A two-bedroom dwelling in one of the restricted communities would be charged 0.68 EDUs per 170 gallons a day and three-bedroom residences 0.90 EDUs per 225 gallons. Existing two-bedroom townhomes are billed at 0.80 EDUs per 200 gallons a day and a single-family private residence in Sparta is charged at a rate of 1.00 EDUs per 250 gallons each day. “You’re always going to have the exception,” he said. “But, on the average, one type of dwelling will have more flow. So, they should pay more.” The Hamlet is planned so as to include 44 age-restricted housing units and new commercial and retail office space. At least one occupant of the senior residential units is required to be 55 years of age or older and other members to be above 19. At least 80 percent of the units will have fewer than three bedrooms. Roundtop construction includes 120 townhomes and attached multifamily units. Of those, 24 will be affordable housing units.