The story of bringing sewers to Oakland is an annual election year debate, for decades. This year is no exception, and The Journal hopes to provide some structure to the options available.
Whether Oakland needs sewers to improve its downtown district is a matter of debate, but the options of how to implement a sewer system for the business district are evident.
The most realistic, pragmatic, and affordable options involve tapping into an existing wastewater treatment facility. The facility that treats the wastewater is the most expensive element, and a new facility would then need staff and all the ensuing costs associated.
Working under the premise that Oakland would seek to tap into an existing sewer treatment facility, one option would be to follow the lead of Franklin Lakes. Completing a study in 2005, Franklin Lakes entered into an agreement with Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority in 2006.
According to their website, the NBCUA provides wastewater collection and treatment to Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Ramsey, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick, Wyckoff, and a portion of the Village of Ridgewood.
In 2009, Franklin Lakes held a special town meeting to discuss the proposed NBCUA plan. Jim Kelley, of Boswell Engineering, made a public presentation of the NBCUA proposal to the town residents. An exchange during the public session indicates the presence of an Oakland resident.
“A member of the audience asked if Oakland is part of NBCUA and Mr. Kelly said that they were at one time, however, they petitioned to be out and there is now a regional treatment plant proposed near Portobello’s Restaurant”
In July of 2011, NBCUA Commissioner, Brian Chewcaskie – who also serves as the borough attorney of Oakland – moved for a vote on Resolution #66-2011 to finance the Franklin Lakes project with a maximum principal amount of $5,900,000 dollars.
A similar option could work for Oakland, and NBCUA minutes note the extent of Oakland’s interest in the NBCUA with a notation in July of 2011 by stating,” The Borough of Oakland has initiated a study financed by the Highlands Commission to identify options for sewer systems.”
Obviously, the NBCUA believes they are in a position to provide sewer services in Oakland.
On the other side of Oakland, the Portobello’s side that borders Wayne, there exists a municipal wastewater treatment facility in Wayne.
Again, the building of a treatment facility is a very expensive endeavor and has always relied on an influx of federal, state, county and municipal funds – most of who are struggling under increased budget cuts with little resources for building new facilities. It is not considered an option in this analysis.
There has always been discussion of Oakland tapping into the Wayne treatment facility, either for the planning of downtown development or residential development. Unlike the NBCUA which is actively seeking to expand services to other towns, Wayne is understandably not actively seeking to sell capacity in their treatment facility. (It should be noted that the Mayor of Oakland is also the town planner for Wayne)
A wastewater treatment facility can only treat a certain amount of water daily, and then it reaches capacity. The township of Wayne, which covers a large geographic region, has enormous growth potential. Certain areas of the township are undeveloped, and others lend themselves to smart-growth – mixed residential and retail development.
The future of Wayne, NJ would be impacted by Oakland tapping into Wayne’s treatment facility. If Oakland wastewater was being treated, than there is less capacity for the future needs of Wayne. So, while the facility may have been built with federal and state funds, it is in the best interest of Wayne to keep their existing wastewater treatment at a capacity that provides for the future of Wayne.
Oakland is surrounded by sewers, and has options open to it. The Wayne treatment facility and the NBCUA option implemented in Franklin Lakes
Oakland’s situation is complicated with portions of the borough being included by the Highlands Council in their Preservation Area. (The Highlands Council is funding the study noted in the July 2011 NBCUA meeting)
An August 2011 meeting of the Highlands Council included a report by Executive Director Swan stating that Oakland has recently decided to include their Planning Area in the Petition for Plan Conformance. Concerns of whether voluntarily opting into this hinders Oakland’s plans for sewers is something that may be resolved by the studies.
Oakland took a step in the right direction with a special emergency appropriation in 2010 to fund development of a Wastewater Management Plan.
NBCUA is expecting to be providing sewer services to Franklin Lakes by the fall of 2012.
Additional Reading:
Bergen Record – Sewers Come to Franklin Lakes
I am confused. Oakland’s mayor is the town planner for Wayne with their sewers, and the Oakland borough attorney is helping Franklin Lakes get sewers. So there are sewers, sewers everywhere and not a pot to pee in for Oakland?
It seems what we have been hearing is true, there is a conflict of interest between the Wayne planner and the Oakland mayor. How can the two sides negotiate from different sides of the table, when one person sits in the same seat.
PS: I’m not posting my last name, I do not want to be treated the way Charlie has been treated for opposing the mayor – sorry Charlie.
Threre were discussions years ago with Wayne Township regarding the same issue in sewer connection in exchange at least in part for Oakland water. These discussions did occur and were thwarted by what I have been explained as “Oakland’s Greed”. This of course was probabbly greed by a select few elected officials or Borough employeed; and as a result the Borough suffered and 20 or more years later a solution has not been found.
Many years ago a federal plan was in the works to subsidize a joint Oakland/Pompton Lakes sewage deal, it died a slow and silent death. Now, it appears the promise of sewers is is dangled before the public before every mayoral election. I would prefer a “horse linament” sale before election day, – it would be more interesting.