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.