Waldwick council updates timeline for H2M water‑system study and Phoenix sale evaluation; members press for deadlines

WALDWICK — Council members pressed staff and consultants for clear deadlines on a one‑year water‑system study and a parallel evaluation of whether selling the borough’s water utility is a viable option to shore up long‑term finances.

Tatiana said H2M’s one‑year study of the water system is due to be presented to the council on March 24. Separately, she said Phoenix is preparing an evaluation of the financial and rate outcomes that would follow from a sale of the system, a step that would ultimately require voter approval through a referendum if the council chose to pursue it.

Why it matters: Council members said any sale evaluation must include up‑to‑date operating and capital plans and clear timelines so residents can review the analysis ahead of a ballot decision. One council member urged staff to hold consultants to fixed deliverable dates and to return financial results promptly so the council could consider a referendum by November 2027 if desired.

Officials cautioned that selling the water system would require paying off the system’s outstanding debt and that proceeds, after debt service, would flow to the borough’s general fund for fiscal uses the council approves. Speakers also noted that the sale outcome would depend on market interest and bids; passing a referendum would not obligate the borough to accept any particular offer.

Next steps: H2M will present its findings at the March 24 meeting, and staff said Phoenix’s evaluation could take several weeks after receiving updated operating and capital data. Council members asked administration staff to press consultants for firm dates and to make the resulting materials available to residents well before any referendum process.