Editor's Note: This local law also provided that it “shall take effect immediately in accordance with law upon filing with the Secretary of State, with the exception of the changes outlined in § 348-49B, which shall become effective with the first billing under the new automated meter reading system, but not later than December 31, 2008.
Pursuant to the authority contained in §§ C-66 and C-67 of the Ithaca City Charter, the Board of Public Works shall from time to time, by resolution, set water and sewer rates to meet budgeted revenue projections.
Minimum water and sewer bills shall be determined
by applying the established water and sewer rates to the corresponding
cubic feet allowed based on meter size, as defined below:
The Board of Public Works shall from time to time,
by resolution, set rates for other water- and sewer-related services,
such as but not limited to unmetered sprinkler service, unmetered
water provided via suitable connections to hydrants, bulk metered
water for filling spray rigs, tank trucks etc., readings and/or bills
requested on other than regular reading or billing dates, curb stop
shutoff or meter removal, and duplicate bills.
Meters up to and including one inch will be tested
upon application of the consumer and the making of a deposit as established
by Board of Public Works resolution. If the meter shall test no more
than 3% fast on full or half flow, the deposit is to be forfeited
to the City. If the meter tests more than 3% fast, a proportionate
allowance will be made on all bills no more than six months old and
the deposit returned to the consumer.
Whenever the Meter Department shall determine that,
in its opinion, a meter is not registering properly, it shall be removed
and calibrated or replaced by a new meter. This shall apply to all
meters through which City water is furnished, whether owned by the
City or the consumer. Meters must be installed in places easily accessible
at all reasonable times for reading and inspection.
After a meter is attached, any damage which the meter
may sustain from freezing or from hot water being forced back through
the meter or from any external cause will be repaired by the Meter
Department and the cost of the same charged to the owner or agent.
If meters need attention, the Meter Department must
be notified at once. Plumbers are not allowed to remove meters for
repairs or any other purpose. All persons are forbidden to break meter
seals, disconnect or in any way tamper with meters after they have
been installed on the premises.
The cost for the installation of water service lines and or sewer laterals shall be billed to the owner of the property, and bills shall be issued and penalties assessed in accordance with § C-54 of the Ithaca City Charter, except that the penalty for bills not paid within 30 days shall be the greater of 12% per annum or $3 per month. If the service lines or laterals are installed at the request of someone other than the property owner, or if the property is not within the City of Ithaca, a deposit sufficient to cover the estimated cost of the installation shall be collected prior to commencement of the work.
A fee as established by Board of Public Works resolution
shall be assessed for a request to read a meter and/or produce a bill
at a time other than the regularly scheduled reading and/or billing.