For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2014
Freeholders: Put burden on utility companies,
not taxpayers
Board seeks regulation reform on utility line relocation costs
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders passed a resolution at their March 27 regular meeting which urges state legislation that would require utility companies to be held responsible for costs associated with their utility lines that delay County and municipal construction projects.
The Freeholders’ resolution advocates for legislation that would further require utility companies to relocate utility lines within the County right-of-way and be held responsible for any costs associated with the delay of moving the lines, including construction remobilization and extended construction time.
“There are times that the County is required to relocate utility lines due to various road and bridge repair or construction projects” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “Utility companies are forcing taxpayers to bear additional costs associated with the relocation and that needs to stop.”
Utility companies have delayed the relocation of utility lines resulting in the County incurring significant delay in the completion of projects along with increased costs and inconvenience to the public.
“When a contractor has to start and stop work because the utility companies cancel scheduled appointments, it causes delays and increases our project costs,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich Sr. “This is unfair to the contractor, the public and the taxpayers.”
“The taxpayers should not be required to bear the expense of utility companies relocating utility lines in the County right-of-way,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “The utility companies, not the taxpayers, should pay construction claims resulting from their delay.”
A copy of the resolution is being sent to Governor Chris Christie, President of the New Jersey State Senate Steve Sweeney, Speaker of the General Assembly Vincent Prieto, the Monmouth County Legislative Delegation, all other Boards of Chosen Freeholders and all Monmouth County municipalities.
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