A charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50, will be added to bills
not paid within 20 days from date of issuance. A late payment charge
shall be applied only once to any given amount outstanding. This charge
is applicable to all customers.
A.
Reasons for disconnection. Service may be disconnected or refused
for any of the following reasons:
(1)
Failure to pay a delinquent account or failure to comply with the
terms of a deferred payment agreement.
(2)
Violation of the Utility's rules and regulations pertaining
to the use of service in a manner which interferes with the service
of others or to the operation of nonstandard equipment, if the customer
has first been notified and provided with reasonable opportunity to
remedy the situation.
(3)
Failure to comply with deposit or guarantee arrangements as provided
for in these rules and regulations.
(4)
Diversion of service around the meter.
B.
Disconnection for delinquent accounts.[1]
(1)
A bill for service is delinquent if unpaid after the due date shown
on the bill. The Utility may disconnect service for a delinquent bill
by giving the customer, at least eight calendar days prior to disconnection,
a written disconnect notice which may be mailed separately or be included
with the bill for service. For purposes of this rule, the due date
shall not be less than 20 days after issuance.
(2)
The Utility may disconnect without notice where a dangerous condition
exists. Service may be denied to any customer for failure to comply
with the applicable requirements of the rules and regulations of the
Public Service Commission or of these rules and regulations or if
a dangerous or unsafe condition exists on the customer's premises.
(3)
The Utility shall notify the appropriate County Department of Health
and Social Services at least five calendar days prior to any scheduled
disconnection of residential service if the customer or responsible
person has made a written request for this procedure. The Utility
shall apprise customers of this right upon application for service.
If service to a residential customer which has been disconnected has
not been restored within 24 hours after disconnection, the Utility
shall notify the appropriate sheriff's department of the billing
name and service address and that a threat to health and life might
exist to persons occupying the premises.
[1]
Editor's Note: A sample notice of disconnection is on file
in the Village offices.
A.
The Utility shall offer deferred payment agreements to residential
customers. The deferred payment agreement shall provide that service
will not be disconnected for the outstanding bill if the customer
pays a stated reasonable amount of the outstanding bill and agrees
to pay a stated reasonable portion of the remaining outstanding balance
in installments until the bill is paid. In determining what amounts
are "reasonable," the parties shall consider the following:
B.
In the deferred payment agreement, it shall state immediately preceding
the space provided for the customer's signature and in bold face
print at least two sizes larger than any other used thereon, the following:
If you are not satisfied with this agreement, do not sign. You
have the right to make a counter offer and, if it is rejected, you
have the right to appeal this proposed agreement to the Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin, during which time the Utility may not disconnect
your service. This does not relieve you from the obligation to pay
bills that are incurred after commencement of dispute procedures.
If you do sign this agreement, you give up your right to dispute the
amount due under the agreement except for the Utility's failure
or refusal to follow the terms of this agreement.
|
C.
A deferred payment agreement shall not include a finance charge.
D.
If an applicant for service has not fulfilled the terms of a deferred
payment agreement, the Utility shall have the right to disconnect
service or refuse service in accordance with these rules and under
such circumstances; it shall not be required to offer subsequent negotiation
of a deferred payment agreement prior to disconnection. Any payments
made by the customer in compliance with a deferred payment agreement
or otherwise shall be first considered made in payment of the previous
account balance with any remainder credited to the current bill.
A.
Whenever the customer advises the Utility's designated office
prior to the disconnection of service that all or part of any billing
as rendered is in dispute, or that any matter related to the disconnection
is in dispute, the Utility shall investigate the dispute promptly
and completely, advise the customer of the results of the investigation,
attempt to resolve the dispute and provide the opportunity for the
customer to enter into a deferred payment agreement, when applicable,
in order to settle the dispute.
B.
After the customer has pursued the available remedies with the Utility,
he may request that the Public Service Commission's staff informally
review the disputed issue and recommend terms of settlement.
C.
Any party to the dispute after informal review may make a written
request for a formal review by the Commission. If the Commission decides
to conduct a formal hearing on the dispute, the customer must pay
50% of the bill in dispute or post a bond for that amount on or before
the hearing date. Failure to pay the amount or post the bond will
constitute a waiver of the right to a hearing. Service shall not be
disconnected because of any disputed matter being pursued under the
dispute procedures. In no way does this relieve the customer from
the obligation of paying charges which are not disputed.