Owners of improved property abutting town- owned water and sewer lines shall either connect to said lines within six months of the time the line is completed and accepted for use by the town or pay a monthly improvement or dry-tap charge as set forth in the town’s fee schedule, as may be amended from time to time. IMPROVED PROPERTY shall be defined as a lot or tract upon which is located a building or structure used for residential, business, industrial, governmental or other similar urban purposes. ABUTTING shall be defined as lying adjacent to the property or separated from the property by a portion of street right-of-way.
(A) The town recognizes the responsibility to provide all existing water and sewer users within the town corporate boundary with an adequate supply of water and sewer treatment within the constraints of money and budgets.
(B) The town will attempt to provide water and sewer service to all existing homes and new homes not currently served on existing open and dedicated streets within the constraints of money and budgets. The priority for new services will be less than for existing customers.
(C) Extensions of water and sewer service in and to subdivisions and new streets or unopened streets will be at the developer’s expense.
(D) The town will also make water and sewer extensions under authority of G.S. Ch. 160A, Art. 10. The extensions may be made following receipt of a petition from abutting property owners, or by action of the Town Council. Assessments levied under this authority may be payable over a period of up to ten years.
(E) The Town Council is authorized, but not required, to offer discounts off the one-time tap fee as set forth in the town’s fee schedule, as may be amended from time to time, for the purpose of encouraging initial connections and tap-ons during or immediately after construction of a sewer project.
(F) The town may, but is not required, to participate in the extension of any main sewer line if the Town Council determines from time to time that the overall interests of the town or the area shall benefit.
(G) The Enterprise Fund may be reimbursed for the costs of the extension of sewer lines for economic development, annexation or any other purposes when the Enterprise Fund cannot reasonably expect reimbursement within five years through income generated by sewer rates. Reimbursement shall be from the General Fund or Capital Projects Fund, so long as such reimbursement is consistent with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act.
(H) It is the town’s responsibility to maintain all sewer lines in the rights-of-way owned by the town or the state. It is each property owner’s responsibility to maintain sewer lines and connections on his or her private property.
(I) The policy set forth herein shall be effective upon passage of this section. Any policy or practice inconsistent with this section is hereby repealed.
(Ord. passed 6-24-1997; Ord. 2017-02, passed 10-17- 2016; Ord. 2021-19, passed 2-9-2021) Penalty, see § 51.99