(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly tamper with, modify or disconnect a water meter; to render it inoperable or inaccurate; or to place, or cause to be placed, in a water meter pit serving the property any type of device or means that would allow or permit water to flow to the property without such water flowing through the water meter assigned to the owner of such property.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to deny the town access to private property for the purpose of reading the meter or any other authorized purpose.
(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to access the in-ground water meter box without first receiving permission from the Town Manager, or his or her designee, except in cases of extreme emergency whereby the water may be shut off by the owner, customer or person to prevent property damage from a water leak. In such cases, the person, owner or customer must inform the town within 12 hours of the event, excepting weekends and holidays in which case he or she shall notify the town on the next open business day.
(D) In any prosecution for a violation of this section, if evidence is introduced showing that there is a violation of this section, coupled with proof establishing the identity of the person or persons shown by the town’s records as responsible for payment on the water and sewer account established for such property, such evidence shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the person or persons shown on said water and sewer account committed the offense charged.
(Ord. 16-2017, passed 10-25-2017) Penalty, see § 50.99