The text
Sec. 22-396. - Finding.#
(a)
The authorizing agent shall prescribe annually just and equitable charges to be charged all users of the sewage system, based upon the budget established for operation of the sewer department. This charge will be sufficient to cover all sewer service costs estimated for the ensuing fiscal year. Users of the sewage system shall be charged interest for delinquent payments.
(b)
Charges for residential users of the sewage system will be computed on a residential unit charge. All other users will be charged on the basis of water consumption; except that the residential unit charge shall be the minimum charge to any user. The basis for these charges and rates is given in appendix B which is not printed in this Code but which is on file and available in the town offices.
(c)
Sewer service charges for connected facilities will commence at the time a sewer connection permit is issued by the authorized department in accordance with this chapter. For new construction the charges will commence when the certificate of occupancy is issued.
(Ord. No. 2015-02, 4-8-15; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-397. - Sewer user fees.#
(a)
Nonresidential sewer user fees. All other structures, other than residential, shall be assessed a sewer user fee based upon the volume of water purchased for the structure. Where a user is not served by public water supply, the town shall establish an appropriate schedule for billing. The sewer use fee shall be based upon a rate per 100 cubic feet of water.
(b)
Measurement of water from other sources; types of meters. Where a property uses water from a source other than a public water supply system, the property shall be assessed a sewer user fee based upon the actual quantity of wastewater discharged directly or indirectly into the town's facilities. Such quantity of wastewater may be measured by either inflow water meters or a wastewater discharge meter as determined by the director. No meter shall be installed or be used for such purpose without the approval of the director. Such meters shall be installed and maintained at the expense of the property owner and shall be read by the town. If repairs are made by the town, bills for such repairs shall be collected in the same manner, and be subject to the same penalties, as are bills for sewer user fees.
(c)
Estimated discharge. Where a property uses water from a public water supply system or a source other than a public water supply system, but a portion or all of such water is consumed, evaporated or otherwise not discharged directly or indirectly into the town's facilities, the wastewater discharged shall either be metered at the expense of the property owner or an estimate shall be made based upon an engineering analysis approved by the director. Where a discharge has been estimated, bills will be rendered based upon the approved analyses and estimates.
(d)
Meter failure. In case a meter fails to register or has been removed for repairs, testing or other purposes during the billing period, the bill shall be issued based on the average daily rate of water consumption or sewage discharged as shown by the meter after it has been returned to service and is in proper working order.
(e)
Basis of bill for temporarily unmetered service. If the meter has not been returned to service, the bill shall be issued based on the average daily rate of water consumption or sewage discharged for the previous two-year period.
(Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-398. - Rate schedule.#
(a)
Appendix C is the rate schedule for sewer service charges based on the assessment policy of article IX of this chapter. The appendix C is not printed in this Code but is on file and available in the town offices. This rate schedule will be reviewed annually and submitted to the town council prior to July 1 each year.
(b)
Based on this rate schedule the department of finance will prepare the sewer service roll, a copy of which will be filed with the town clerk.
(Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-399. - Collection.#
(a)
Annual sewer service charge bills will be prepared and mailed at the same time as real estate tax bills are mailed.
(b)
Delinquent payments of the sewer fees enumerated in this article shall be subject to interest of 12 percent compounded annually commencing 30 days after the due date.
(Ord. No. 2015-02, 4-8-15; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-400. - Appeals.#
Appeals for water line breaks or unusual usage shall be heard by the sewer assessment review board.
(Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)
Sec. 22-401. - Infiltration and inflow (I & I) charge for new developments and construction activities.#
For all new construction under building permits issued from May 1, 2004 onward, and for all construction activities under building permits issued from June 1, 2013 onward which result in additional wastewater flow to the town's wastewater treatment plant, the town council hereby levies an infiltration and inflow (I & I) charge to be added above normal sewer charges levied in accordance with this chapter. All construction activities include, but are not limited to, new connections to the sewer system, expansion/renovation of existing buildings, and construction of additional buildings on existing lots. Expansion and/or renovation of an existing single family residential home is exempt from this ordinance. (1)
The developer of each new unit building permit applicant agrees to pay for the cost to remove one gallon of I & I for every gallon of wastewater to be generated by that unit or construction activity.
(2)
The proposed flow for residential facilities shall be based on a rate of 110 gallons of water per day per bedroom; for commercial or industrial facilities, the proposed flow shall be based on calculations prepared by a registered engineer at the owner's expense.
(3)
The I & I fee will be based on a rate of $5.00 per gallon of I & I to be removed and will be paid to the department of water pollution control prior to the issue of a building permit.
(4)
The I & I fee will be deposited into a separate dedicated account, within the sewer budget, to be used for the sole purpose of eliminating the I & I by the town.
(5)
The I & I fee will be applied to the net increase in the total number of bedrooms at a property location in cases of knock downs, additions, or subdivisions of properties when such properties have been previously connected to the town sewer system.
(Ord. No. 2004-13, 5-12-04; Ord. No. 2006-21, 7-19-06; Ord. No. 2013-09, 5-15-13; Ord. No. 2013-16, 10-30-13; Ord. No. 2022-14, 11-16-22)