[Amended 4-3-2012 by L.L.
No. 1-2012; 5-5-2015 by L.L. No. 2-2015; 6-7-2016 by L.L. No. 1-2016]
The Board of Public Service shall consist of five Commissioners
to be appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years each, subject
to the approval of the Common Council. All members of the Board of
Public Service shall not belong to the same political party.
The Board of Public Service shall meet regularly each month
but may hold special meetings at the call of the Chair. The Chair
shall call special meetings at the request of any two members of the
Board. Special meetings shall be called: (a) by serving a written
or printed notice thereof upon each member personally; (b) by delivering
such notice to each member's residence at least three hours before
the time of meeting; or, (c) at a member's option, by electronic means
delivered at least three hours before the time of meeting.
The Board of Public Service shall:
A.
Authorize, upon application on forms duly established for such purposes
and upon demonstration by applicant of intention to install according
to established standards, the introduction of new water service and
new sewer service based on the apportionment of expenses, as provided
in the Code;
B.
Accept and consider appeals to the implementation of the Water Department
rules and regulations. The Board shall make recommendations to the
Mayor and the Common Council regarding changes in such rules and regulations.
C.
Accept requests for exemption from the Water Department rules and
regulations, and may grant such exemptions after due deliberation
on a case by case basis. When such exemption shall require expenditure
or repayment of public funds, the Board of Public Service shall notify
the Common Council of the implications of its decision, and the Common
Council shall act to accept or deny such action.
D.
Determine, after holding a duly authorized show cause hearing, whether
properties in the City shall be declared unsafe according to the Code.
E.
Administer and implement the City of Oneonta Flood Damage Prevention
Law as set forth in the Code.
F.
Hear appeals to action by the City of Oneonta to cause snow and ice
removal from sidewalks, roofs, and gutters, as set forth in the Code.
The Board of Public Service shall accept applications for and
make recommendations to the Common Council regarding sale of water
outside the limits of the City. In no case shall water lines be extended
during any water emergency or at other times when provisions of such
service shall jeopardize the delivery of water to customers within
the City.
The Board of Public Service and all persons acting under its
authority may use the ground or soil under any street within the City
of Oneonta, and the highways or roads within the County of Otsego
or any adjoining county, for the purpose of introducing water into
and through any portion of the City or counties. The Board shall cause
the surface of such street, highway, or road to be relaid or restored
to its usual state, and all damages done to be repaired. Such rights
shall be continuous for the purpose of repairing and relaying water
pipes.
