PMUA Rate Hearing Dec. 13

The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority will lower sewer rates by 2.6 percent and make no change in solid waste rates, effective Jan. 1

A legal notice published today describes the rates in advance of a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13 at PMUA headquarters, 127 Roosevelt Ave.

Transfer station rates allowable under new DEP regulations are also included in the notice and there is also a significant reduction in rates for roll-off service (large containers for uses such as one-time renovations).

The early notice reflects a new transparency from the PMUA, which drew the wrath of residents in March 2009 when rate increases of 14 and 20 percent were approved retroactively to Jan. 1. A group called DumpPMUA began investigating the authority’s policies and exposing alleged excesses for meals and travel that contributed to higher rates. The group also taught property owners how to opt out of using the PMUA for solid waste service.

The authority had the same leadership since its inception in 1995 until this year, when its top officials all resigned or retired. New executive director Duane Young appeared before the City Council on Sept. 12 to promise a new relationship with the governing body, which had sought unsuccessfully to meet with its leadership for many months.

Another point of contention over the past year or so was the inability to fill vacancies on the PMUA’s board of commissioners. Almost all the commissioners were in holdover status due to lack of reappointments or replacements. On Monday, the names of former Councilman Malcolm Dunn and entrepreneur Cecil Sanders will be offered for City Council advice and consent to become commissioners. The council meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.

--Bernice