DumpPMUA.com was created by residents of Plainfield, NJ who were concerned about the accountability, transparency, customer service, and general practices of the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority (PMUA) management and Board of Commissioners. Our issues are not with the hardworking rank and file employees. Although some concern about PMUA's practices existed prior to this grassroots movement, the movement began to take shape in February 2009 when 1st quarter PMUA bills were mailed to residents.
We chose DumpPMUA.com because of its catchiness, and not necessarily to dismantle PMUA (unless management continues with non-competitive rates and deceptive practices). The purpose of DumpPMUA.com is to keep Plainfield residents informed of past and present practices of PMUA. The site will serve as a mechanism to effect positive change to PMUA and/or provide residents with information on more affordable, high quality service. We want to make sure that PMUA is held accountable to the residents they serve!
We were extremely disappointed when PMUA increased its sewer rate 14% and solid waste rates 20% for 2009 without adequate public notice. We are currently challenging the legality of the public notice which was published in newspapers prior to the January 22, 2009 PMUA meeting. The public notice did not include the new proposed adjustments to the service charges which is required under state statute. To make matters worse, PMUA approved the increases and retroactively billed residents from January 1, 2009.
A company the size of PMUA shouldn't be charging Plainfield residents of single-family homes $191.45 per quarter ($128.22 for solid waste & $63.23 for shared services). This is approximately $64 per month for solid waste (garbage and recycling collection or $42.74 per month excluding the shared services charge). Most residents are not even aware that they pay a shared services charge because it is masked in the solid waste line item on the PMUA bill. According to PMUA,
"All Plainfield property owners pay a shared service fee, which supports the cost of downtown street sweeping and garbage collection; the preservation of other public areas, parks and community playgrounds in Plainfield including: Rushmore Ave Park, Mathison Park, Library Park, Rock Ave Park, Sloan Blvd Park, Seidler Field, Milton Campbell Field, Hannah Atkins Park, Cook School Park, and South Ave Park."
Shared Services Fee (SSF)for 2009*:
Single-Family..................$63.23 per quarter
Two-Family.....................$96.09 per quarter
Three-Family..................$128.95 per quarter
As residents, we have no problem paying for shared services if they are covered as part of our tax base. We do have a major problem paying for these services through PMUA. At the February 19th PMUA meeting, the board indicated to all present that the shared services fee we pay as residents is a direct result of a contract between the City of Plainfield and PMUA. If this is accurate, we are curious and want to know what would authorize the city and PMUA to enter into a contract which would allow PMUA to bill the residents directly? This is as if the city contracted with Ford to lease vehicles and then Ford sent residents the bill for the leases.
Most residents are unaware that they can opt out of PMUA solid-waste services. We encourage Plainfield residents to use this site as a resource so they can make informed decisions regarding PMUA and alternate solid waste providers. Together, we will stand and say, "Enough is Enough!"