Township Committee Freezes Stormwater Utility Rate; Locks in 2025 Payment Level for 2026

RARITAN TWP., N.J. (Hunterdon County) — At their Jan. 20 meeting, the Raritan Township Committee announced the 2026 Stormwater Utility Base Rate was set at $40.00 per year, keeping the fee steady at the 2025 payment level.

While the utility rate was originally annualized at $120.00, the Committee determined that by adhering to strict fiscal discipline, the Township could reduce the effective annual burden on taxpayers. By locking the rate at $40.00 per ERU or Equivalent Residential Unit, the Committee has ensured that residents and businesses will pay the same amount for the full year of 2026 as they did for the partial year of 2025.

"We know our residents are mindful of every dollar, and so are we," said Mayor Brad Perry. "Rather than allowing the rate to jump to the annualized projection of $120, we took a hard look at our operations and decided we can and must do more with less. We are freezing the rate at $40 to provide stability for our families and businesses.”

Adopted through Resolution #26-1-28, the rate of the Stormwater Utility fee is based on a typical single-family residential property's impervious surface area. Annual bills will be distributed on or around Mar. 1.

“We’ve worked with the Township Committee to identify critical permit requirements and their associated costs,” said Stormwater Utility Supervisor John Tully. “The proposed fee allows us to address these critical issues while being mindful of the impact on our residents and businesses.”

The Township established the Utility last year to comply with strict 2023 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements mandated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”).

The Utility structure ensures that the cost of these state-mandated environmental projects is borne equitably by those with impervious coverage, rather than raising the general municipal tax rate. All funds collected must be used strictly for stormwater management and NJDEP compliance.

Just like your property tax bill, you can pay your Stormwater Utility bill by mail, online by clicking on the “Pay Your Bill” button on the Tax Collector’s page of the Township website, placing it in the drop box outside the Municipal Building, or in person in the Tax Collector's Office.

NOTE: Payments can be made by credit card, check or money order only. Cash payments will NOT be accepted.

For more information about how the Stormwater Utility fee is determined, see Chapter 145, Section 9 from the online municipal code platform, or visit the Stormwater Utility resource page.

-30-

Get the latest Township news by following us on Facebook: @RaritanTwpNJ; and by downloading our mobile app – search “My Raritan Township”, available through the Apple App and Google Play stores.

Press Contact: