A.
The Select Board may establish a schedule of service rates and charges and fees from time to time upon improved real estate connected with a municipal public sewer or disposal system for the use of the system. These service rates and charges and fees may include reserve fund contributions.
[Amended 6-11-2008]
(1)
Interest. As authorized by 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3406, the Select Board may charge interest on delinquent accounts at a rate not to exceed the highest lawful rate set by the Treasurer of the State for municipal taxes.
(2)
Lien. There shall be a lien on real estate served or benefited by a municipal sewer or sewer disposal system to secure the payment of service rates and charges and interest on delinquent accounts established under this chapter. This lien takes precedence over all other claims on the real estate, excepting only claims for taxes.
(3)
Collection. The Treasurer of the municipality may collect the service charges and interest on delinquent accounts in the same manner as granted by 38 M.R.S.A. § 1208 to treasurers of sanitary sewer districts with reference to rates established and due under 38 M.R.S.A. § 1202.
(4)
Adoption of new rates. Prior to the adoption of a new rate and charge and fee schedule, the Select Board shall hold a public hearing regarding the proposed rate, charge and fee schedule. The Select Board shall publish the proposed rates, charges and fees and notice of the hearing not less than once in a newspaper having a general circulation in Bethel not less than seven days prior to the hearing. Prior to the adoption of new sewer rates only, the Select Board shall mail to each ratepayer a notice of the public hearing and the proposed new rates at least 14 days prior to the hearing. The mailing requirement does not apply to the sewer system development charge or other charges and fees. The sewer rates that have been adopted by the Select Board through fiscal year 1992 remain in effect until changed by the Select Board.
B.
The wastewater rates, tolls, charges, rents, fees and other charges shall be so established as to provide revenue for the following purposes:
(1)
To pay the current expenses for operating and maintaining the wastewater facilities.
(2)
To provide for the payment of the interest and retirement of such long-term indebtedness as the Town has legally entered into for its wastewater treatment and collection facilities.
(3)
To provide increased capacity in the Town wastewater facilities for the benefit of future residential and commercial and industrial users.
C.
The Select Board may establish reserve funds within the Wastewater Treatment Department budget, consisting of the following accounts, by appropriating money or by authorizing the transfer of unencumbered surpluses or fund balances at the end of any fiscal year for the following purposes:
(1)
Capital improvement account. For financing the acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of a specific, or a type of, capital improvement.
(2)
Capital equipment account. For financing the acquisition of a specific item or type of capital equipment.
(3)
Credit reserve account. For providing a reserve which may be applied in periods of financial emergency to assist in continuing the Wastewater Treatment Department's normal operation.
(4)
Sinking fund account. For paying a funded debt. The sewer system development charge (SSDC) can be used to repay a legally incurred debt by the Town or by the Select Board.
(5)
Capital dedicated reserve account. Used to help finance increases in the wastewater facilities resulting from the collection of the sewer system development charge (SSDC).