The future of public utilities in Gloucester was one of several topics the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors addressed during a board retreat that was held last Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Beaverdam Park’s Whitcomb Lodge.

During the meeting, the board discussed whether it would be feasible to require mandatory hookups to county water and sewer in the future. The board also received some good news that the debt service for the system will be reduced dramatically in 2019, and the possibility that utilities fees for customers could be eased.

According to Gloucester’s Public Utilities Director Chris Dawson, the last master plan for county utilities was completed in 2006; however, it was never adopted by the board of supervisors. So, the key of the latest master plan study will outline how the county can get to a point of having a broader water/sewer system to support the economic development that it needs.

“We’re hoping the new master plan study will be more usab...