Law to require builders to install second meter
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

Howell

HOWELL - When the Township Council meets on Feb. 20 its members will consider the adoption of an ordinance aimed at helping people get a handle on water use.

An ordinance that was introduced on Jan. 16 requires the installation of two meters that will be used to seperately measure internal and external water use, "including but not limited to, an irrigation system."

The proposed law is the township's response to problems that cropped up last summer when residents of new housing developments began reporting that their water bills were exceeding $1,000 per quarter.

Officials said the ordinance will require all developers who want to build in Howell to now install two water meters in every home. The law will help to prevent future residents from being incorrectly charged, according to municipal officials.

According to Mayor Joseph DiBella, "It was important for the town to pass a law to require developers to absolutely have a separation between those two." Furthermore, Howell residents will now "be charged the fair and accurate amount, rather than being overcharged," Dibella said.

Although the ordinance is not retroactive and will not address the high water bills encountered by some residents last year, the township and the New Jersey-American Water Company are working together to craft a compromise that will better serve current residents.

According to Township Manager Thomas Czerniecki, "We're close to finding a compromise between New Jersey-American Water and Lennar (the builder of the homes), but details haven't been finalized."

Homeowner Rob Nicastro was one of the residents who brought the issue of the water bills to the attention of Howell officials last summer. He said, "Lennar has stepped up to the plate and is willing to install the second water meter (on existing homes) at minimal to no cost. New Jersey-American Water will give us a credit during irrigation season, which is May to August, on the sewer portion of our bills."

Nicastro said he is pleased with the result of this matter.

"This is a historic victory for residents in Howell. The mayor and council stepped up to the plate and created an ordinance so that this does not happen to another resident in Howell," he said.

Patrick Golden, a representative of Lennar, said details of the agreement with the homeowners may be finalized this week. He had no other comment.