Mountainside Candidates on Coles Avenue Sewer Access

Four candidates for two Mountainside Borough Council seats answered a question about whether the Borough should help extend sanitary sewer service to Coles Avenue. Union County Life is summarizing the responses in Mountainside’s 2026 Meet the Candidates series, published Oct. 20. The candidates are Stefania Colosimo, Councilwoman Valerie Wass, Rob Barletta, and Councilman Steve Matejek.

Coles Avenue is one of the few areas of Mountainside without municipal sewer service. The Engineering Master Plan identified it nine years ago. The area has 34 properties, and many already connect to the sewer system. Neighbors on Sky Top Drive, just west of Coles Avenue, have extended the sewer main three times. Easements were obtained for some properties near Deer Path, but the sewer line was never installed.

The candidates described two ways to bring service to the area. Neighbors can extend the sewer main themselves, and the Borough reviews and approves each connection. Alternatively, owners can ask the Council to install a sewer as a local improvement under New Jersey law, with each benefiting property sharing the cost based on the value the sewer adds. State law also lets the Council spread a family’s share over several years. Matejek cited costs of $18,000 to $40,000 to replace a failing septic system and $5,000 to $15,000 for a typical sewer connection. Wass cited about $4,600 for a new sewer collection connection to the Borough, plus the cost of extending the line.

Colosimo said Mountainside lacks comprehensive, long term capital planning. She asked how long Coles Avenue residents have been requesting sewer access and what has been done. She wrote, “Are we waiting for septic systems to fail before seriously addressing this?” She called for the Borough to bring residents, engineers, utility providers, and county and state partners together to assess feasibility and explore grants. She added, “We may not be able to solve every problem overnight, but we should be planning today for the problems we know are coming tomorrow and stop leaving questions unanswered.”

Matejek said the Borough has the plan and the precedent to extend service. He said that if Coles Avenue owners want sewer service, he will ask the Borough Engineer to meet with them, map the route, and estimate each family’s share before anyone commits. He said the Borough will pursue state funding and would support a local improvement request if owners make one.

Wass said the Borough will work with residents to explore options and bring interested homeowners together to determine whether an extension is practical. She said the Borough could consider a local improvement district. She wrote, “We should be willing to help residents find a solution, especially when septic systems need replacing. But we also have a responsibility to protect taxpayers.” She said those who benefit from an extension should generally pay for it.

Barletta said the Borough should take a leadership role in developing a long term plan. He wrote, “The Borough should take a leadership role in developing a long-term plan to extend sanitary sewer service to the Coles Avenue area.” He said the Borough should first understand the severity of the situation, the needs of homeowners, and the feasibility and cost of extending service, including elevation challenges. He said the County could be an important partner, since Coles Avenue is a county road next to the Watchung Reservation, which is also county property.

This installment covers the first question. Responses to the second and third questions were scheduled for Oct. 21 and Oct. 22.

Find more Mountainside election and local news at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

What is the Coles Avenue sewer issue?
The area is one of the few in Mountainside without municipal sewer service, and aging septic systems require costly repairs or replacement. The Engineering Master Plan identified it nine years ago.

Who is running for Mountainside Council?
Stefania Colosimo, Councilwoman Valerie Wass, Rob Barletta, and Councilman Steve Matejek are seeking two seats.

How could Coles Avenue get sewer service?
Neighbors can extend the sewer main themselves, with Borough approval, or owners can ask the Council to install a sewer as a local improvement, with costs shared by benefiting properties.

When is the election?
Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.