Opinion ID: 2339485
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Eagleswood Sewer-Connection Charge.

Text: A central concern presented with respect to this connection charge is that it may not be equally imposed upon all properties in the Dock Road area. The ordinance provides no escalating charge, as in Airwick Indus., Inc., supra, 57 N.J. 107, for those properties to be connected at a later date: the $600 connection fee is based on 245 estimated hookups, but at the time of the trial it was stipulated that there would be only 175 initial users, which could result in a higher connection fee. To the extent that the municipality would propose that current users absorb the entire cost without consideration of future connectors, there is an inconsistency with the Airwick methodology. This was a point of concern not only to us, but to the trial court as well. The Township asserts that it doubts that any future properties can be developed in the Dock Road area because of environmental controls imposed by the State's coastal-protection programs. While we refuse to decide the propriety of the connection fees on the record before us, we do note that in any future proceedings, the Township must make its best effort to estimate future connectors; if future connectors are anticipated, the municipality should reconsider its attempt to recover all of its costs from the initial connectors to the new service area. Further, we were advised at oral argument that the Township may have available to it Community Development Block Grant funds that may satisfy most or all of its additional funding needs for this project. That alone may radically revise the consideration of connection fees in the Dock Road area and obviate the need for further court proceedings. In connection with any revised ordinance, we would assume that the community will take into account both concerns addressed above.