[Adopted 3-21-1994; amended 8-2-2004; 11-15-2004]
Pursuant to § 7-255 of the Connecticut General Statutes,
the Town Council sitting as the Water Pollution Control Authority
is authorized to provide for the payment of sewer user charges in
installments. The Town Council, after investigation and study, finds
it in the best interest of the Town to implement installment payments
of sewer charges.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The billing period of each account shall be from the current
calendar year's November 1 to the following calendar year's October
31.
The previous winter quarter as determined by the sewer user's
water utility, Valley Water Systems or other water system.
A charge assessed to those accounts that water consumption
in the previous winter was less than or equal to 1,750 cubic feet.
Accounts of those users classified as residential, commercial,
industrial, minimum charge or well user.
The sewer user charge assessed, by special agreement only,
to those sewer users whose occupancy is restricted by an owners' association's
or other entity's bylaws. Such bylaws must restrict occupancy of the
properties to no greater than six months per year. Such restricted
occupancy sewer user charge will equal 75% of the minimum charge.
An individual, firm, entity, or corporation, public, private
or municipal, which owns or is in legal possession of real estate
that is built upon and is served or benefits by its connection to
the sewer system.
Charges levied on users of the sanitary sewer system and
treatment facility for the payment of debt service, operational expenses
and maintenance costs. Charges shall assure that each user of the
sewer system pays its proportional share of the cost of the services
provided.
The amount of water consumed during the winter quarter multiplied
times four or other negotiated consumption rate.
Accounts of those users that are charged by special agreement
due to unusual usage. The charges may be based on but not limited
to per capita usage, seasonal usage or other appropriate deemed method.
A charge assessed to those accounts that are connected to
the sewer system and do not receive their domestic water from Valley
Water Systems or any other water utility.
A.
The Revenue Collector shall prepare and mail statements to all accounts
during November of each year. These statements represent charges for
the current billing period's sewer use.
B.
The sewer user charge shall be paid semiannually, November 1 and
May 1. Each installment shall equal 1/2 of the total charge, except
the restricted occupancy charge, which shall be paid annually November
1. All bills shall be paid in full within 30 calendar days of those
dates. Delinquent accounts shall pay interest, shall be subject to
liens upon their real estate and shall be subject to penalties in
the same manner as property liens as provided by the Connecticut General
Statutes.
C.
The property owner, whether prior or new, shall be responsible for
payment of all sewer user fees attributed to the parcel of land, with
nonpayment making said realty subject to being liened.
D.
Sewer user fees shall be assessed based upon the water consumption
of the previous winter quarter as provided by Valley Water Systems
or any other applicable water utility. Those accounts in which the
winter water consumption is less than 1,750 cubic feet shall be assessed
the minimum charge. Well users shall be assessed the well user charge.
E.
Any user that believes its sewer user fee was improperly calculated
or was inequitable may petition to the Water Pollution Control Superintendent
for an adjustment within 60 calendar days of the due date of such
charges, first due date November. The Water Pollution Control Authority
shall appoint a committee of three individuals, the Director of Technical
Services, Revenue Collector and the Water Pollution Control Superintendent.
This committee shall review the charges and recommend to the Authority
whether any adjustment is warranted. The Authority shall receive the
committee's recommendation within 45 days of the Water Pollution Control
Superintendent receiving the initial inquiry. The party requesting
reconsideration of its user charge shall be responsible for providing
all reasonable information, data and explanations why the charge should
be adjusted. The recommendation shall be based on the information
provided.
This article shall not be construed to conflict with any state
or federal statute, rule or regulation.
