More About PARSA

The Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority, or PARSA, has been mentioned this week at the City Council meeting and on blogs, but not everyone knows what it is.

PARSA serves eight municipalities and each has a representative on its board. Many are current or former elected officials. The current roster includes Robert Seader, Dunellen; Bill Populus, Fanwood, John Richards, Green Brook; Jim Freeman, North Plainfield; Robert Johnson, Scotch Plains; Glen Cullen, South Plainfield, Al Ellis, Watchung; and David Ervin, Plainfield.

At issue now is Ervin's tenure on the board, since he has retired from the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority. Ervin was a city Public Works official before becoming deputy executive director at PMUA. The city and PMUA have a interlocal services agreement for solid waste and sewer services. The question has been raised whether Plainfield should have a new representative on PARSA, but Ervin is entitled to serve until his term expires, according to state municipal utility law.

PARSA has a very informative web site that includes this history. Sewage from Plainfield and other member municipalities passes through the PARSA system and then goes to the Middlesex County Utilities Authority for treatment. Having known of PARSA since its inception, Plaintalker has always been impressed with its efficiency and stewardship of public resources.

--Bernice