The town shall disconnect utility services in accord with the following policies.
(A) When it becomes necessary for the town to disconnect utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid together with the collection charge and a reconnection charge of $75 has been made.
(B) Reconnection procedures will be instituted the following business day only after all necessary charges have been paid in full or the Town Council has granted a delay or a waiver.
(C) The policy of the town is 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.
(1) All bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill.
(2) If any bill is not paid by or before that date, a notice will be mailed that if the bill is not paid by the twenty-fifth day of the month or the following business day, service will be discontinued for nonpayment.
(3) Any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill, or requesting a delay or waiver of payment, shall have the right to a hearing before the Town Council at its regularly scheduled meeting prior to the date the service will be discontinued, at which time he or she may be represented in person or 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 Council.
(4) In the absence of payment of the bill rendered, or resort to the hearing procedure prescribed herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified.
(5) Disconnection procedures will be instituted before 12:00 p.m. on business days and will not be instituted on Fridays.
(Ord. 569, passed 5-1-1990; Ord. 2003-680, passed 5-20-2003)