[Amended 11-8-2007; 7-9-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-3; 12-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-10]
From and after the effective date of this article, there shall be charged the hereinafter enumerated fees for each equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) as hereinafter determined whenever the owner of any property or his or her designated agent, connects such property with the Borough's sanitary sewer systems, or whenever said owner adds to or modifies property then already connected to one or both systems in such a manner as to increase the EDUs as hereinafter determined. The enumerated fees shall include:
A.
Connection fee. A charge to reimburse the Borough for the cost of the sewer or waterline between the main in the street and the property line. This cost shall be based upon actual cost or average cost of previous similar connections. This fee shall include all road openings and restoration, as well as permit fees and engineering fees in connection therewith.
(1)
Prior to any work schedule being set for a new connection, or connections, to either the Borough's water or sewer systems, or both, the property owner or his designated agent shall:
(a)
Complete a written application requesting connection, or connections, on forms supplied by the Borough.
(b)
Read and execute an agreement with the Borough on forms supplied by Borough agreeing to pay to Borough all actual costs related to said connection or connections.
(c)
Pay in advance for water and sewer connections the following charge for each equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) as hereinafter defined.
[1]
A fee as set from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council per EDU as hereinafter defined for each new water service connection or for an addition to or modification of a property then connected to the water system so as to increase the equivalent dwelling units as hereinafter defined.
[2]
A fee as set from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council per EDU as hereinafter defined for each new sewer service connection or for an addition to or modification of a property then connected to the sewer system so as to increase the equivalent dwelling units as hereinafter defined.
(2)
The advance payments referred to in Subsection A(1)(c) above shall in no instance be construed as being full payment. Property owner, or his designated agent, shall be responsible for all actual costs related to affect water or sewer connections, or both, between Borough mains and the established curbline of said property.
(3)
The property owner, or his designated agent, shall receive a final cost bill to be computed from the particular job sheet as filed by the Borough's Sewer or Water Department, a copy of which will be noted in the final cost bill.
(4)
In the event that the balance due the Borough is not paid in full within 15 days of the date of said final cost bill, said services may be made ineffective by either shutting off the water supply and/or physically disconnecting the sewer service. In either event, these additional costs plus 10%, shall be added to an adjusted final cost bill, which must be paid in full before restoration of services.
(5)
It is the purpose of these aforementioned and required connection fees to insure the Borough of receiving full actual costs of reserves the right, in certain circumstances, to adjust or waive said required connection fees where the imposition of same would not be warranted. For example, if a property owner has entered a construction agreement with the Borough to develop a tract of land and is undertaking the construction of an on-site water or sewer collection system, or both, at his own expense, then there may be no need for connection fees as hereinbefore set forth since there would be no actual costs to the Borough.
B.
Customer facilities fee. A charge to reimburse the Borough for the cost of line or service, or both, for the cost of facilities servicing the connected property from the property line or curb stop to the proposed dwelling or building to be served. Charge shall be based on actual costs incurred. The Borough may require the owner to install these facilities in lieu of this fee. Fee shall include the cost of providing a water meter or meters. Billing procedure shall be the same as for connection fees in Subsection A above.
C.
Tapping fee. A charge which includes the following components: capacity, distribution and collections, special purpose and reimbursement, to be charged for use of the sanitary sewer and water systems of the Borough that shall be in addition to any charges assessed against the property in the construction of sewer and water mains, as well as other user charges or rates charged for rental and use of the water and or sanitary sewer system itself.
(1)
The tapping fee for sanitary sewer service shall be a fee as set by resolution of the Borough Council per EDU as hereinafter defined.
(2)
The tapping fee for water service shall be a fee as set by resolution of the Borough Council per EDU as hereinafter defined.
(3)
The aforementioned tapping fees, as well as any fees set forth in this article, may be altered, or changed, by Borough Council from time to time as circumstances may warrant by appropriate resolution of Council.
(4)
The aforesaid tapping fees are determined and established by a study done by Keystone Alliance Consulting, Inc. which study is entitled "Borough of Jim Thorpe Calculation of Tapping Fee for the Sewer System in accordance with Pa. Act 57 of 2003," dated December 2023. Copies of said report detailing itemization of all calculations showing the manner in which the fees were determined are available for public inspection at the Borough Office.
(5)
Said tapping fees shall be payable at the time of application for connection to the systems or at such other time as the property owner and Borough may otherwise agree in writing.