By John Spinelli
MIDDLETOWN – Middletown residents have seen another uptick in their quarterly sewerage bills this year, with the sewerage authority hoping to prepare for future expenses.
Beginning Jan. 1, the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority (TOMSA) announced an increase for both residential and business users, following increases in 2019 and 2024, a township official said.
The new fee for 2025 is a flat rate of $120 per unit per quarter or a total of $480 per year. Last year, the household rate was $108 for each quarter billing period. The TOMSA also announced that any unpaid balances would face a 4.5% interest charge.
For commercial properties, the authority has in- creased the charge by $8 for each additional 1,000 gallons of wastewater above 15,000 gallons treated.
Deidre Colvin, billing manager for the authority, explained why the rates have risen only one year after an increase.
“We contracted a study with PS&S (a design and engineering firm) to examine the plant,” she said. Looking at the next 10 to 20 years, the firm calculated the cost of maintenance, repairs and operations. The study indicated capital improvements in the future could potentially cost the authority up to $20 million.
“Most of the current equipment was originally built in the 1970s,” Colvin said. “A raise now would keep these concerns and the debt service under control.” The plant, located on Center Avenue in Belford adjacent to Naval Weapons Stations Earle, also contracts service for the boroughs of Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. Those neighboring municipalities bill their residents independently. There were no rate increases this year, officials in those boroughs said. The operating plant is monitored quarterly by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Colvin said the public hearing for the rate increase was in December. “In the past 21 years, TOMSA has only had increases five times,” she noted.
“We’re obviously a little disappointed with the payments going up,” said Kathy Ackerson, a resident of Leonardo. “It feels like everything has gone up, with the water bill, electricity, taxes, etc.”
The Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority is an entity independent from the government of Middletown Township, although board members are appointed by the mayor.
The article originally appeared in the February 27 – March 5, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
