Queen Annes County, MD Administration and Enforcement

Applicability. This section applies only to the Kent Narrows/ Stevensville/ Grasonville Wastewater Subdistrict.

In general. When consistent with good health practices, the Director shall encourage the use of flow reduction measures and flow recycling measures in the subdistricts.

Reduction in charge.

(1)

The Director may reduce the estimated flow of any unmetered user to account for flow reduction or flow recycling measures beyond those normally required.

(2)

In no case, however, may a charge as so reduced be less than the minimum charge established for any lot or parcel.

§ 24-104 Rate schedule.

Establishment. The Sanitary Commission shall establish by resolution a rate schedule for each subdistrict in accordance with the provisions of this Part 3.

Revaluation of rate schedule.

(1)

At least once each year, the Sanitary Commission shall revaluate the rate schedule.

(2)

The Sanitary Commission may adopt new rate schedules as appropriate.

§ 24-105 Termination of service; liens against property.

Termination of service. If any bill remains unpaid 30 days after the date of sending, the Director, after not less than five days' written notice left on the premises or mailed to the last known address of the owner, may terminate service to the property.

Liens on property served or benefited. Subdistrict charges are liens on the property served or benefited and may be enforced by an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against the property served or benefited.

Priority of liens. The liens shall be subject only to liens for state and County taxes.

Interest. The charges are due on the first day of the month in which they are made and shall bear interest at the rate of 1.5% per month from the first day of the following month until paid.

[Amended 3-21-2006 by Ord. No. 06-01]

§ 24-106 Powers and authority of inspectors.

Right of entry. The Director, the Chief and other duly authorized employees of the County bearing proper credentials and identification may enter all properties in a subdistrict for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing pertinent to discharge to the wastewater system.

Information concerning industrial processes.

(1)

The Director, Chief, and other duly authorized employees may obtain information concerning industrial processes that have a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the wastewater collection system.

(2)

On request, and if the industry establishes that the revelation to the public of the information sought might result in an advantage to competitors, the information will be regarded as confidential.

Observance of safety rules. While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in Subsection A of this section, the Director, Chief, and other duly authorized employees of the County shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the occupant.

Occupant held harmless and indemnified.

(1)

The occupant shall be held harmless for injury or death to the County employees.

(2)

The County shall indemnify the occupant against:

(a)

Loss or damage to the occupant's property by employees of the County; and

(b)

Liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the occupant and growing out of the monitoring operation, unless caused by negligence or failure of the occupant to maintain safe conditions.

Right of entry: properties through which County holds easement.

(1)

The Director, Chief, and other duly authorized employees of the County bearing proper credentials and identification may enter all properties through which the County holds an easement for the purposes of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any portion of the wastewater facilities lying within the easement.

(2)

All entry and subsequent work, if any, on the easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the easement pertaining to the property involved.

§ 24-107 Right of appeal.

Review by Commission. Any person aggrieved by an action taken by or a decision made by the Director in the administration of any provision of this Part 3, including any person who has received a notice of termination of service under § 24-105 of this Part 3, may have the decision reviewed by the Sanitary Commission.

Time and place. At least once a year, the Sanitary Commission shall set a time and place when and where aggrieved persons may be heard.

Grounds for overruling or modifying action or decision. The Sanitary Commission may overrule or modify the appealed action or decision of the Director if the Sanitary Commission finds the action or decision is:

(1)

In error;

(2)

Based on political, religious, or racial prejudice; or

(3)

Imposes an undue hardship.

§ 24-108 (Reserved)

§ 24-109 (Reserved)