2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part 6: WATER › Chapter 64: WATER DISTRICTS AND STANDARD DISTRICTS › 35-A §6410. Standard districts and water districts; trustees

§6410. Standard districts and water districts; trustees
All of the affairs of a standard district must be managed by a board of trustees whose members must be residents of the district. The number of trustees must be specified in the standard district's charter. After selection of the first board, each trustee is nominated and elected or appointed as provided in the charter creating the standard district and in accordance with subsection 1 or 2, as applicable. If the charter does not indicate whether trustees are appointed or elected, the trustees, after the selection of the first board, must be elected in accordance with subsection 1.   [PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW).]
1.  Standard districts; nominations and elections; vacancies.
Nominations and elections of trustees are conducted in accordance with the laws relating to municipal elections.
When the term of office of a trustee expires, the trustee's successor is elected at large by a plurality vote of the voters of the standard district. For the purpose of election, a special election must be called and held on the date established by the trustees. The election must be called by the trustees of the standard district in the same manner as town meetings are called and, for this purpose, the trustees are vested with the powers of municipal officers of towns. A vacancy is filled in the same manner for the unexpired term by a special election called by the trustees of the standard district.
The trustees shall appoint a registrar of voters for the standard district, who may also be the registrar of voters for any town within the standard district, and fix the registrar's salary. It is the registrar's duty to make and keep a complete list of all the registered voters resident in the standard district. The list prepared by the registrar governs the eligibility of any voter. Voters who are resident outside the territorial limits of the standard district, as defined in its charter, are not eligible voters and the registrar of voters shall exclude those voters from the registrar's lists. All warrants issued for elections by the trustees must show that only the voters resident within the territorial limits of the standard district are entitled to vote.
[PL 2003, c. 147, §2 (AMD).]
2.  Standard districts; appointments.
If the charter creating a standard district specifies that the trustees are appointed, the appointments must be made as provided in the charter.
[PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW).]
3.  Standard districts; eligibility requirements.
When a trustee ceases to be a resident of a standard district, the trustee shall vacate the office of trustee and the vacancy is filled as provided in subsection 1 or 2, as applicable. All trustees are eligible for reelection or reappointment, but a person who is a municipal officer, as defined in Title 30‑A, section 2001, subsection 10, of any town located, in whole or in part, within the standard district is not eligible for appointment, nomination or election as a trustee of that district.
[PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW).]
4.  Standard districts; first board.
The first board is appointed or elected as provided in the charter creating the standard district. At the first meeting, the initial trustees shall determine by agreement or, failing to agree, they shall determine by lot the term of office of each trustee. The terms of the trustees must be determined in accordance with the following table.
TERM
Total number of trustees
1 year
2 years
3 years
3
1
1
1
4
1
1
2
5
1
2
2
6
2
2
2
7
2
2
3
8
2
3
3
9
3
3
3
10
3
3
4
11
3
4
4
12
4
4
4
13
4
4
5
14
4
5
5
15
5
5
5
The trustees shall enter on their records the determination made. Vacancies are filled pursuant to subsection 1 or 2, as applicable.
At this original meeting, the trustees shall organize by electing from among their members a chair and a clerk, by adopting a corporate seal and by electing a treasurer who may or may not be a trustee.
[PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW).]
5.  Water districts; organization; conduct of business.
Within one week after each annual appointment or election, the trustees of a water district shall meet for the purpose of electing a chair, treasurer and clerk from among them to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified. The trustees, from time to time, may choose and employ and fix the compensation of any other necessary officers and agents who serve at the pleasure of the trustees. The treasurer shall furnish bond in the sum and with sureties approved by the trustees. The water district shall pay the cost of the bond.
The trustees may adopt and establish bylaws consistent with the laws of this State and necessary for the convenience and the proper management of the affairs of the water district, and perform other acts within the powers delegated by law to the trustees.
The trustees must be sworn to the faithful performances of their duties including the duties of a member who serves as clerk or clerk pro tem. The trustees shall publish an annual report that includes a report of the treasurer.
Business of the district must be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Freedom of Access Act.
[PL 2011, c. 662, §23 (AMD).]
6.  Standard districts; decisions of the board.
All decisions of the board of trustees must be made by a majority of those present and voting, except that a vote to approve the issuing of any bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness payable within a period of more than 12 months after the date of issuance must be approved by a majority of the entire elected board. A quorum of the board of trustees consists of the total number of authorized trustees divided by 2 and, if necessary to obtain a whole number, the resulting number rounded up to the next whole number.
Trustees are subject to the conflict of interest provisions of Title 30‑A, section 2605.
[PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW).]
7.  Water districts; trustees' compensation.
The trustees of a water district receive compensation as recommended by the trustees and approved by a majority of the municipal officers of the municipality, including compensation for any duties they perform as officers, as well as for their duties as trustees. For districts serving more than one municipality, any change in the compensation received by the trustees for any duties they perform within the district must be recommended by the trustees and approved by majority vote of the municipal officers in each municipality in municipalities representing a majority of the population within the district. Certification of the vote must be recorded with the Secretary of State and recorded in the bylaws. Compensation schedules in effect on January 1, 1982 continue in effect until changed.
Notwithstanding section 6401, subsection 2, this subsection does not apply to any water district for which the charter provides for trustee compensation in a manner inconsistent with this subsection and specifically indicates by its own terms that this subsection or former section 6303, subsection 4 does not apply.
[PL 2003, c. 147, §2 (AMD).]
8.  Water districts; trustees' retirement.
Persons who have not been water district trustees prior to January 1, 1987, and who are not full-time employees, are not eligible to become members of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System as a result of their selection as trustees. For purposes of determining a water district trustee's eligibility to be a member of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System prior to January 1, 1987, the provisions of the appropriate governing charter in effect at the time of the trustee's application for membership controls.
[PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 58, §3 (REV).]
9.  Standard districts; expenses.
The trustees may obtain an office and incur necessary expenses.
[PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1995, c. 616, §10 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 147, §2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 58, §3 (REV). PL 2011, c. 662, §23 (AMD).