M_PB 4th Round Affordable Housing Plan Infrastructure Concerns

P a g e | 5 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.westorange.org installation or maintenance of lights, conduit, or other equipment. Also, the MSA covers the cost for the collection and disposal of leaves and recyclable materials, as well as solid waste along the roads and streets. Overall, there are legitimate municipal infrastructure concerns with the fourth round of affordable housing as to having the appropriate utilities capacity (water, sewers, electricity, telecommunications, transportation) for the Township to provide and sustain the demands of the proposed inclusionary developments. Also, coordination will be key to handle the increase in population and density with the schools and transportation. The Township will need to prepare by developing a comprehensive asset management plan to identify deficiencies in the sewer systems to create an action plan to upgrade the sewer system where feasible. Also, the Township might want to consider implementing a Sewer Utility for the sanitary sewer system and a Stormwater Utility for the storm sewer system to handle the maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of these sewer systems. The Township faces significant challenges with its existing infrastructure as it moves towards compliance with its obligation to provide its fair share of affordable housing. It is crucial for the Township to consider all current infrastructure needs while simultaneously addressing the need for inclusionary developments, and the increased infrastructure demands that accompanies it. The Land Use Boards must consider the capacity of the Township’s current infrastructure and the current limitations in the efforts to improve it as the municipality continue towards addressing its fair share housing obligations.