Any owner of real property connected to the Town of
Ridgely's public water supply system may request an indefinite abatement
of the metered water rate charge whenever that real property has been
unused and unoccupied for three consecutive months.
To obtain suspension, the property owner shall file
with the Town Clerk/Treasurer a written request for suspension of
water service charges, including a statement under oath that the property
has been vacant for the requisite period, and further stating that
the property owner consents to termination of water service and complete
shutoff of service in such manner as the Town shall now or hereafter
provide. The property owner shall further agree to pay such reasonable
fee as may be charged by the Town for terminating service.
No request for termination of service will be accepted
by the Clerk/Treasurer unless all outstanding charges due the Commissioners
of Ridgely shall be paid.
Upon acceptance of the request by the Clerk/Treasurer,
the request shall be referred to the Commissioners at their next regular
meeting, together with a certification by the Clerk/Treasurer that
all sums due to the Commissioners by the property owner have been
paid.
Upon receipt of the request and Clerk/Treasurer's
certification, the Commissioners shall determine if the property owner
making the request has grounds for suspension of charges.
If grounds for suspension exist, the Commissioners
shall suspend further service charges effective as of the date of
their decision, provided that the property owner pay such fee as shall
have been established by the Commissioners for terminating service.
Once terminated, service may be restored only by request
of the property owner and payment of any fees established by the Commissioners
from time to time for restoration of service.