(A) For the use of and the service rendered by the sewage works, rates and charges shall be collected from the owners of each and every lot, parcel of real estate or building that is connected with the town sanitary system or otherwise discharges sanitary sewage, industrial wastes, water or other liquids, either directly or indirectly, into the sanitary sewage system of the town.
(B) The rates and charges shall include user charges, debt service costs, excessive strength surcharges and other service charges, which rates and charges shall be payable as hereinafter provided and shall be in an amount determined in this chapter.
(C) The sewage rates and charges shall be based on the quantity of water used on or in the property or premises subject to the rates and charges, as the same is measured by the water meter there in use, plus a base charge based on the size of the water meter installed, except as herein otherwise provided.
For the purpose of billing and collecting the charges monthly, the users shall be billed each month (or period equaling a month). The water usage schedule on which the amount of the rates and charges shall be determined is as follows:
All Class I Users |
All Class I Users | |
1. Treatment rate - total treatment rate per 1,000 gallons: | |
For service provided | Rate |
On or after 5-4-2023 | $9.94 |
Plus | |
2. Base rate - monthly base rate: | |
On or after 5-4-2023 | Rate |
5/8" - 3/4" water meter | $24.73 |
1" water meter | $57.44 |
1-1/4" water meter | $89.98 |
1-1/2" water meter | $129.30 |
2" water meter | $221.04 |
3" water meter | $504.00 |
4" water meter | $896.24 |
6" water meter or larger | $2,009.61 |
(D) For users of the sewage works that are unmetered water users or accurate meter readings are not available, the monthly charge shall be determined by equivalent single-family dwelling units, except as herein provided. Sewage service bills shall be rendered once each month (or period equaling a month). The schedule on which the rates and charges shall be determined is as follows:
Unit Type |
Unit Type | |
On or after 5-4-2023 | Rate |
Residential | |
Single-family/unit | $65.25 |
Apartment/unit | $48.35 |
Commercial | |
Retail establishment: | |
First 3 employees | $64.51 |
Each additional employee | $21.48 |
(E) For services rendered to the town, the town shall be subject to the same rates and charges hereinabove provided or to charges and rates established in harmony therewith.
(F) In order to recover the cost of monitoring industrial waste, the town shall charge the user no less than $42 per sample or cost thereof. This charge will be reviewed on the same basis as all other rates and charges in this chapter.
(G) Any lot, parcel of real estate or building that is connected to a sewer built after the date of this chapter, the cost of which is financed by sewer revenue bonds of the town, shall pay a capital connection charge of $1,500.
(H) Establishing new service.
(1) New or moving customers applying for utility service shall do so in person at the Utility Office and shall put down a deposit before any utility service will be rendered. Interest will not be paid on any part of the deposit.
(2) When submitting the application for utility service, the applicant will be asked for proof of identification (valid driver’s license or picture identification). This is necessary to aid in the collection process, if necessary, and to eliminate possible falsification of who is residing at the service address. A copy of the proof document will be attached to the application form.
(3) When a previously terminated account (owner-occupied or renter) returns to establish a new account after a period of time has elapsed, any delinquent utility bills owed by said new account applicant, including amounts previously written off as bad debt, must be reimbursed before a new account will be established.
(I) Termination of services.
(1) It is the policy of the town to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The town's form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number, and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(a) That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill; and
(b) That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice approximately one week before the end of the month. If payment is not received by the first of the following month, service will be disconnected on the second business day of the month; and
(c) That any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk shall be authorized to order that the customer's service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer's complaint.
(2) In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 15 days.
(3) When it becomes necessary for the town to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid. A reconnect fee in the amount of $50 will be charged. Reconnect fees shall be paid in full before services will be restored.
(Ord. 07-2008, passed 10-21-2008; Ord. 2023-03, passed 4-19-2023)