Sewer plan comes under fire

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error.

By Leigh Tenore
VERNON — After a previous unanimous vote to endorse the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority Wastewater Management Plan to extend the sewer service area along the Route 94 corridor and into McAfee, the proposal has met with opposition on Monday, Jan. 25, from the public and members of the Township Council.

A presentation was given to the council and public on Dec. 14 by MUA Chairman, Vincent Zinno, Executive Director John Scerbo, engineer Ceren Aralp and auditor Charles Ferraioli. The presentation outlined what they considered to be negative environmental impact and public health concerns over a 53 percent septic failure rate within that area.

“I have 2 properties along Route 94 and I was not contacted about this,” said Sally Rinker, “This resolution (15-190) must be rescinded by this council. The vote to explore was disingenuous and based on false information.”

The proposal has been criticized as the MUA’s attempt to alleviate financial burdens by attempting to increase the amount of sewer service users and stabilize the billing rates as the primary motivation for the application to the state EPA and SCUMA, both of which, must approve the extension. The VTMUA and its chairman have come under fire for what is being described as using scare tactics and misinformation in order to move forward to implement their plan.

“I contacted the Health Department, looking for the 53 percent failure rate,” Councilwoman Sandy Ooms said. “They had no information. There is no documentation. You’re saying the data exists, but, we don’t have it.”

Council President Dan Kadish said the facts to support the proposal was not founded.

As the resolution stated in its original format, the VTMUA required the endorsement of the council to apply for a plan amendment and service area increase, but, are under no obligation to report back to the council nor required council approval to move forward with implementation. Zinno assured the council their endorsement was strictly to begin the process of researching and applying for the increase and not the approval to take action.

“It is in the best interest of the township and the residents that we look into this,” Zinno said “I need to do the research; that’s what you granted. We asked for a resolution to find out (the negative impacts). You have my word that we’ll be back in front of you (for approval).”

The VTMUA come before the council with all data, facts and plans they wish to implement for council approval.

Councilmen Dick Wetzel and Patrick Rizzuto were the only dissenting votes.

“I see it as a positive,” said Rizzuto, “The larger issue is how to increase the ratable. How can we increase the customer base to relieve the financial burdens, which are substantial? We should be looking at this as a positive.”