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REMARKS OF SEEMA M. SINGH, ESQ.
RATEPAYER ADVOCATE
PRESENTED BY SARAH H. STEINDEL, ESQ.
DEPUTY RATEPAYER ADVOCATE
DIVISION OF THE RATEPAYER ADVOCATE
In the Matter of the Takeover and Transfer of the Franchise
and Assets of the Seabrook Water Corporation
BPU Docket No. WX04030214
PUBLIC HEARING
Seabrook, New Jersey
August 2, 2004
7:00 p.m.
Good evening. My name is Sarah Steindel, and I am an attorney representing
the New Jersey Division of the Ratepayer Advocate. Our office was created
by the New Jersey Legislature to represent ratepayers in cases such as
this which affect utility rates and services.
The Ratepayer Advocate has been given notice that the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) and the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities (“BPU”) have initiated legal proceedings
against the Seabrook Water Corporation (“Seabrook”) that may
result in the transfer of Seabrook to another public or private water
supplier. The legal proceedings were brought under the New Jersey Small
Water Companies and Small Sewer Companies Takeover Act, which authorizes
the DEP and the BPU to order takeovers of small water and sewer companies
that are in violation of DEP Orders. The DEP and the BPU have found cause
to initiate this proceeding based on ongoing failures by Seabrook to maintain
adequate well capacity and storage, as well as ongoing violations of water
quality standards.
The Ratepayer Advocate will be monitoring these proceedings and advocating
for the interests of Seabrook’s customers. Our goal in this proceeding
is to ensure that Seabrook’s customers receive quality service at
affordable rates. The DEP and the BPU will make the final determination
whether to order a takeover or to pursue other measures to provide Seabrook’s
customers with proper water service.
The purpose of this open public hearing is for the DEP to present a technical
report on the deficiencies in Seabrook’s water system and to identify
options for correcting them. Several public and private water suppliers
and county and municipal government officials have been invited to this
meeting to provide comments, views, and information regarding the deficiencies
in Seabrook’s system. In addition, members of the public may relate
their experiences with Seabrook and offer comments about any service problems
they may be experiencing. It is important that you express your views
so they may become part of the record on which the Hearing Officer will
make a recommendation to the DEP and the BPU regarding the proposed takeover.
The Ratepayer Advocate also needs to hear your views. Your active participation
is strongly encouraged to help us represent your interests in this legal
proceeding.
This hearing is being transcribed and your comments will become part of
the record. I would like to reiterate the importance of your participation
so that the Ratepayer Advocate can have a clear record of your concerns
and interests.
On behalf of the Ratepayer Advocate, thank you for attending tonight’s
hearing.
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