(A) An applicant for water service shall make a cash deposit to secure payments for such water and sewer service. The deposit shall be in accordance with the scope of the service and it shall not draw any interest.
(B) All applicants shall sign the application for water service.
(C) New residential and commercial customers with three-fourths-inch or one-inch meters shall provide a deposit as referenced in the town fee schedule.
(D) Deposits for new services larger than one inch are as referenced in the town fee schedule.
(E) The individual in whose name the deposit is made shall be responsible for payment of all service charges and fees incurred in connection with the service furnished.
(F) A separate deposit is required for each meter installed.
(G) Upon discontinuance of service for non-payment of service charges and fees, the deposit shall be applied by the town toward settlement of the account. Any balance shall be refunded to the customer; however, if the deposit is not sufficient to cover the service charges and fees, the town shall proceed to collect the balance in the usual way provided by law for the collection of debts. This may, at the discretion of the town, include the use of a collection agency. Service shall be restored only by payment of the balance, if any, of the outstanding service charges and fees, and when a new deposit is made on the basis of the deposit schedules above. A service fee shall be charged as adopted by the Town Council for each meter reconnected during normal working hours, as referenced in the town fee schedule as maintained in the Town Clerk’s office. There shall be no reconnections made for services cut-off for delinquent payments after normal business hours. Water/Sewer Department technicians are not authorized to collect any fees or payments at any time.
(H) The town shall require a deposit from the owner of rental property. When the property is rented, the renter shall pay a deposit in the same manner as any other customer. The renter’s account shall be settled according to the above procedures.
(I) If a delinquent customer is the owner of the premises to which the services are delivered, the payment of the delinquent account will be required before providing service at the request of a new and different occupant of the premises; provided however that this provision shall not apply if the new and different tenant or occupant of the premises has purchased the premises from the delinquent customer/owner.
(J) When current accounts are discontinued and all bills, service charges and fees are paid, the remaining portion of the deposit shall be refunded. Refunds for less than $5 are payable by petty cash by the office of the Town Clerk or Finance Officer; amounts over $5 will be refunded by check; mailed to the last address on record.
(K) Sewer service shall only be available to water customers that are located within the corporate limits of the town.
(L) The town shall require that where property is divided into separate units for the purpose of rental and the property is served by only one meter, the town shall require that the water account be placed in the name of the owner or the realty company handling the rentals who shall be responsible for all water bills incurred at this location.
(M) A property owner may, upon request, be entitled to a refund of his or her water deposit following 12 months of good payment history with the town. To qualify for the water deposit refund, the property owner, during that 12 months, shall not have had any town services terminated for non-payment and shall not have had fees assessed for late payments for town services (water, garbage and/or sewer) more than one time.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2011; Ord. passed 9-11-2014)