=== Berkeley Heights Sewage Plant Referendum ===
No-Bid Contracts, DEP Fines, and the Sewage Bid: What the Council Didn’t Explain
Date: 2025-07-18
The township suggests residents will experience increased sewage fees after the NJAW bid falls through however, NJ21st questions the basis of these increases and documentation on the $60 million dollar number.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/07/18/no-bid-contracts-dep-fines-and-the-sewage-bid-what-the-council-didnt-explain/
Sewer Sale Stalls in Berkeley Heights – Lone Bid Rejected?
Date: 2025-07-09
Based on the 07/15/2025 Town Council Agenda, NJAW (the lone bid) was rejected as being non-compliant.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/07/12/sewer-sale-stalls-in-berkeley-heights-lone-bid-rejected/
From Public Utility to Private Monopoly? Berkeley Heights Community Members Seek Answers
Date: 2025-07-09
Members of the public express concerns about the potential sale of the sewage plant; including more costly debt
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/07/09/from-public-utility-to-private-monopoly-berkeley-heights-community-members-seek-answers/
Berkeley Heights Sewer Sale Deadline Nears As Worker Protections Shrink and Public Oversight Fades
Date: 2025-07-03
The town has issued Addendum 5 with less than one week before bids are due - slimming down worker protections and offering little clarity or assurance to the public.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/07/03/berkeley-heights-sewer-sale-deadline-nears-as-worker-protections-shrink-and-public-oversight-fades/
Berkeley Heights Sewer Sale – Everything We Know So Far
Date: 2025-06-20
A comprehensive overview of the Township's Request for Bids, Addendum's and where they stand in connection to the the community's interests.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/06/20/berkeley-heights-sewer-sale-everything-we-know-so-far/
The Sewage Sale Debate: Lessons from Power Outages and Lost Accountability
Date: 2025-05-28
Discusses concerns about service quality when sewage is privatized - drawn analogies to utilities and a look at what happened to service quality in other communities that privatized their systems. Calls for additional detail on the referendum that is binding to protect residents.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/05/28/the-sewage-sale-debate-lessons-from-power-outages-and-lost-accountability/
Beyond the Payout: Lessons New Jersey Residents Can Learn from the Berkeley Heights’ Sewer Referendum
Date: 2025-05-15
A deeper dive on the research connected to privatization of sewer and water facilities along with the political influences driving the movement.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/05/15/beyond-the-payout-lessons-new-jersey-residents-can-learn-from-the-berkeley-heights-sewer-referendum/
Privatizing Sewer Systems: What Berkeley Heights Residents—and All NJ Towns—Should Be Asking
Date: 2025-05-11
What NJ Residents Should Know Before Voting to Hand Over their Sewage System to Private Interests
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/05/11/privatizing-sewer-systems-what-berkeley-heights-residents-and-all-nj-towns-should-be-asking/
No Video Exists of Pivotal Berkeley Heights Council Meeting
Date: 2025-05-09
Township reveals there is no recording for Council Meeting that pushed forward referendum on sewage plant
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/05/09/no-video-exists-of-pivotal-berkeley-heights-council-meeting/
What’s at Stake in the Potential Sale of the Berkeley Heights Sewer Plant
Date: 2025-05-03
Provides a larger context to the Townships decision in pushing the sale of the sewage and what residents should consider in the upcoming referendum.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/05/03/whats-at-stake-in-the-potential-sale-of-the-berkeley-heights-sewer-plant/
Sewer Plant, Budget, and $3.8M in Spending on the Table Tuesday in Berkeley Heights
Date: 2025-05-05
Examines the full agenda for the 05/06/2025 Town Council Agenda; with some items deserving a meeting of their own
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/05/05/sewer-plant-budget-and-3-8m-in-spending-on-the-table-tuesday-in-berkeley-heights/