Separate meters to measure water use in Howell homes
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - The Township Council has adopted an ordinance that will require the installation of two meters that will be used to separately measure internal and external water use, "including but not limited to, an irrigation system," on new homes in the municipality.

The ordinance was adopted on Feb. 20. There was no comment on the ordinance from residents or council members.

The ordinance was the council'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.

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

A representative of Lennar, which built some of the homes that produced high water bills, said final details on a plan to help current residents have not been worked out yet.

In other business, the council adopted an amendment to Howell's minibike ordinance to provide penalties for anyone who violates the law.

The existing law primarily states where it is unlawful for individuals to operate unlicensed motor-driven vehicles. The ordinance prohibits the use of such vehicles on private property, any public street, public grounds without permission, and in a manner which is careless, reckless or creates loud noises.

The amendment will supplement the existing law by adding penalties for those who violate the ordinance. These penalties include a fine not to exceed $1,000; community service of not more than 30 days; imprisonment not to exceed 30 days; and summonses issued by the police to minors who violate this provision.

There was no comment from residents or council members prior to or upon the adoption of the penalties.