[Adopted 1-24-1995]
The purpose of this article is to authorize the Farmington Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) to assist a property owner with limited income in paying for costs arising from constructing a sewer line and, in certain instances where a water line has been constructed in conjunction with a sewer line, a water line from the property line to the property owner's home and related costs by having the Town pay for such costs, adding such costs to the amount of the owner's sewer assessment or connection charge, with the total amount to be paid, with interest, in installments approved by the WPCA.
The construction and use of sewer lines results in a substantial sewer assessment or connection charge being levied against property owners benefiting from such construction or use. The payment of the assessment or connection charge amount is made easier by the WPCA permitting such payment to be made by installments over a period of years. The sewer assessment or connection charge at present does not cover the cost of constructing the sewer line from the property line to the property owner's residence and related costs. These are additional substantial costs borne entirely by the property owner. In certain instances with property owners having limited income, having to pay these additional costs in one lump sum, in addition to the sewer assessment or connection charge installment payment, may impose a hardship upon such property owners. Such hardship can be significantly alleviated by having the Town pay a contractor for running the sewer line and, in certain instances where a water line has been constructed in conjunction with a sewer line, a water line from the property line to the property owner's residence and related costs and adding such costs to the amount of the sewer assessment or connection charge to be paid, with interest, in installments.
The WPCA is authorized in instances where a property owner's gross annual income is within the limits established in § 156-48 below to pay the costs of laying a sewer line and, in the instances referred to above, a water line from the property line to the property owner's residence and related costs and to add such costs to the amount of the property owner's sewer assessment or connection charge and to permit the combined amount to be paid, with interest, in installments over the period of years established by the WPCA for payment of sewer assessment or connection charges.
In order for a property owner to be eligible for assistance under this article, the gross annual income of the property owner shall not exceed 150% of the median family income for the Hartford area, as determined annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or its successor.