Township of Berlin, NJ Water Meters

Meter readings shall be made quarterly or at such intervals as the governing body may prescribe. If no meter reading is obtained for three consecutive quarters, the consumer shall be notified by regular mail that if a reading is not obtained they shall be subject to shutoff of the water service in accordance with the provisions of this section. If no meter reading is obtained within 30 days of the date of the aforementioned regular mail notice, the consumer shall be notified by certified mail that the Township Council shall hold a hearing at the next appropriate meeting for the purpose of determining whether to shut off the water service. The consumer will be given an opportunity to present his case at said hearing. If the consumer fails to appear at said hearing or the Township Council, after considering the matter, determines that the water should be shut off, the water service shall be terminated until a proper water meter reading is obtained.

Bills shall be rendered quarterly on or before the first day of January, April, July and October in each year and shall be due and payable when rendered.

Penalty for unpaid bills.

(1)

For any bill unpaid for 31 days after the date on which it is rendered as aforesaid, the consumer shall be subject to a penalty of 8% per annum of the amount of said bill to be added thereto; and if said bill shall remain unpaid for 45 days from the date it is rendered as aforesaid, the water service to such consumer shall be shut off and shall not be restored until all arrearages and penalties are paid, together with a fee as set forth in Chapter 156, Fees, for turning on such service.

[Amended 4-29-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-3]

(a)

Bills shall be due 30 days after the date on which the bill is rendered as aforesaid. If the bill(s) is not paid within 45 days from the date the bill is rendered as aforesaid, then the Township shall forward a notice by regular mail to the property owner or the person in whose name the account is placed, whichever is appropriate, notifying said person that the bill(s) is delinquent and that the water service is subject to being shut off in accordance with the procedures of this article.

(b)

If the bill(s) is not paid within 15 days of the date of the regular mail notice, then the Township shall forward a notice by certified mail to the aforementioned person notifying the aforementioned person that a hearing will be held before the Township Council at the next appropriate meeting for the purpose of determining whether the water service should be shut off.

(c)

The aforementioned person shall be given an opportunity to present his position with respect to the water service shutoff at said hearing. If the property owner fails to appear at said hearing or if the Township Council determines that the water service should be shut off after hearing the presentation by the aforementioned person, the property owner shall pay the bill within 10 days of the date of the hearing, and if said bill is not paid, then the water service will be terminated and will not be restored until the bill(s) is paid. The Township Council, in rendering its decision with respect to terminating the water service, may impose such conditions upon the usage of the water as it determines to be reasonable under the circumstances of the case.