STONE HARBOR COUNCIL TAKES ACTION ON ENERGY, WATER CONSERVATION
Borough to join energy aggregation, adopts water conservation ordinance, introduces budget
(Stone Harbor, NJ)— The Stone Harbor Borough Council adopted an ordinance during its Tuesday, March 5th meeting that enables the Borough to join an energy aggregation program that provides residents and businesses the opportunity to save considerable money on the energy that they purchase. Council also introduced ordinances that enact water conservation measures and prepares the Borough for single- stream recycling which goes into effect in less than a month.
Council approved an ordinance that allows the Borough to join an energy aggregation program with Commercial Utility Consultants. The company will seek bids on the supply of electricity and natural gas from licensed and appropriate third party suppliers. If the bids are competitive and lower than the rates that are currently paid, residents would be automatically switched over to the new energy supplier yet retain the opportunity to “opt out” if they choose to do so. This auction pertains to the actual energy that is purchased, and not for delivery. Other local communities in the county are also joining this energy aggregation program in order to affect more attractive rates.
The Borough of Stone Harbor will be holding information sessions open to the public that will fully explain the energy aggregation program and how property owners can easily opt in, or opt out of the program at any time. Information will also be made available on Channel 2 and on the Borough website, www.stone-harbor.nj.us.
Borough Council also approved an ordinance on first reading that will require all new construction in the community to utilize smart control systems for irrigation. Rainfall or moisture-sensing devices would be required on all new irrigation systems installed in the Borough after April 30th, 2013. Additionally, any improvement on a current property that results in a substantial alteration of the property (greater than 50%) would also require the smart control irrigation system. The smart control systems have proven to be effective in keeping lawns and gardens vibrant and healthy while greatly reducing water consumption.
Action was also taken on a new ordinance that refines the recycling regulations for the Borough in advance of the switch to a single-stream recycling program to be enacted by the county of Cape May starting on April 1, 2013. Residents will now be able to place all of their traditional recyclable materialsinto one single container for collection; the co-mingling of plastics, glass, and paper products will be allowable starting on April 1st. Recyclable containers will continued to be picked up by the Stone Harbor Department of Public Works at the rear yard. The goal is to increase the amount of recyclables collected in Stone Harbor and other communities.
Council also introduced the 2013 municipal budget by title only. The first draft of the budget includes a slight increase of 0.8 cents in the municipal tax rate. The Borough anticipates eliminating $1.5 million of debt service in the 2013 municipal budget. A full presentation on the budget will occur in April.
