New Annual Sewer Rates for Middletown in 2013

Middletown Township will see a slight increase in the annual sewer rates in the new year.

Southwest Delaware County Municipal Authority has given the township notice that they will not approve its contract for sewage treatment and its plant will likely close by 2017, Middletown Sewer Authority Board Vice Chairman Robert J. Scholz said at township council's Monday meeting.

The township's sewer authority has negotiated a new contract with Delcora but will require a new pumping station to get the sewage to the plant, which is why the increase in sewage rent is needed, Scholz said.

As of Jan. 1, residential sewer charges will increase from $275 to $300 per year and commercial rates will increase from $81.25 to $87.50 per quarter, for the first 24,000 gallons.

The commercial rate for sewage over 24,000 gallons will increase from $3.39 to $3.65 per 1,000 gallons over 24,000 gallons.

Council President Scott Galloway said the township's sewer authority has gone above and beyond to ensure the township is serviced at a reasonable rate.

Council unanimously approved the new sewer rates.

Hurricane Sandy

In separate Middletown Township news, members of council thanked all of those involved with preparation for Superstorm Sandy and dealing with her aftermath.

Township Manager Bruce Clark and his entire staff were very well prepared going in to the storm and kept the residents informed throughout, Galloway said.

"We were lucky here in the township...but we were prepared to react," Galloway said.

The public works and roads department were thanked for their preparations along with Riddle Hospital staff, PECO, State Police-Media Barracks and the fire companies, that responded to about 43 calls in the township during the storm, mostly for downed wires.

Council member Norman Shropshire said the township had learned from Hurricane Irene and made some changes to have emergency operations run more smoothly for Sandy.