§ 54.027 METER READINGS AND BILLINGS.
   (A)   Meters will be read monthly and bills will be rendered monthly according to the schedule of rates on file with the town. When weather does not permit, pit meters may not be read at monthly intervals at the discretion of the Superintendent. If a bill is not paid before the due date indicated on the bill, the customer will be considered delinquent and, at any time thereafter prior to the payment thereof, the town may, after serving notice, discontinue service. Failure to receive the bill shall not affect the right of the town to discontinue service for non-payment.
   (B)   All water charges accrue to the customer rather than the premises. If a customer moves from premises where he or she has been supplied with water service, he or she will be held responsible for the payment of all bills until he or she gives proper notice to the town that service is to be discontinued at said premises.
   (C)   Bills for public fire protection and private fire protection shall be rendered yearly. Rates are on file with the town.
   (D)   All special services for which cash payment is not required will be billed with the next regular monthly bill following the date the service was performed. Rates for special services are on file with the town.
   (E)   Each bill shall be due upon receipt and payable at the customer service office of the town or at such other place as may be designated by the town. A penalty may be added to any bill not paid by the due date printed on the bill.
   (F)   All charges for water service, other than service charges, if any, shall be based on the registration of the meter or meters installed.
   (G)   The town shall make an effort to read meters at least once a month and such reading shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of water used. If the town is temporarily unable to gain access to a customer’s property, the customer shall be billed an estimated charge based on previous meter readings unless customer promptly and accurately fills out and mails post card left by the meter reader. The first billing made after the meter is read shall be adjusted according to the actual meter reading. No more than two estimated readings will be allowed. Failure to make meter available or to send in post card readings for three consecutive quarters will result in disconnection of service. A maximum of four consecutive post card readings, promptly submitted by the customer, will be allowed before a customer is required to install an outside remote reading device or to make arrangements for a special meter reading.
   (H)   All water passing through meters shall be charged for, whether used, wasted, or lost through leakage.
   (I)   Disputing the accuracy of a bill shall not be reason for non-payment of the bill by the customer. The customer may pay a bill under protest, thus giving written notice that redress is being sought. Such written notice must be filed with the Clerk-Treasurer prior to the due date of the bill.
(1996 Code, § 104.110) (Ord. 502, passed 8-12-1996; Ord. 1997-2, passed 6-9-1997; Ord. 99-5, passed 5-10-1999) Penalty, see § 54.999