The following definitions are provided herein as a guideline with
respect to certain terms referenced in this chapter with respect to
a sewer system:
BENEFIT ASSESSMENT
A benefit assessment is the charge a municipality or wastewater
district places against a property to recover the cost of capital
expenditures for the acquisition, construction, or upgrading or wastewater
collection, conveyance, or treatment facilities. ("Methods of Capital
Cost Recovery on Water Pollution Control Projects," published January
1997 by CT-DEP).
CONNECTION CHARGE
A connection charge, referenced in C.G.S. § 7-255,
may be levied at the time of connection with the sewer and is generally
in addition to the benefit assessment. Connection charges take basically
two forms. The first, which exists while the debt for the sewer system
is still active, generally covers the municipal cost of processing
a permit to connect, including the inspection of the connection. The
second, which usually occurs after the capital debt for the sewer
has been paid off, covers both the permit processing costs and a lump
sum payment in lieu of a benefit assessment. ("Methods of Capital
Cost Recovery on Water Pollution Control Projects," published January
1997 by CT-DEP).
USER CHARGE
A sewer use charge is designed to recover the operating costs
of the wastewater treatment system (operations, maintenance and limited
component replacement) and is charged only to those properties which
actually discharge to the sewer system. ("Methods of Capital Cost
Recovery on Water Pollution Control Projects," published January 1997
by CT DEP).