2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 38: WATERS AND NAVIGATION › Chapter 10: STANDARD SEWER DISTRICT ENABLING ACT › Subchapter 4: RATES AND FEES › 38 §1048. Rates and fees

§1048. Rates and fees
A person, firm and corporation, whether public, private or municipal, shall pay to the treasurer of a standard district the rates established by the trustees for the sewer or drainage service used or available with respect to their real estate as long as those rates are consistent with this section.   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
1.  Uniform rates.
Rates must be uniform within a standard district whenever the cost to the standard district of installation and maintenance of sewers or their appurtenances and the cost of service is substantially uniform, except that:
A. A standard district may establish a higher rate in sections where, for any reason, the cost to the standard district of construction and maintenance, or the cost of service, exceeds the average as long as the higher rates are uniform throughout the sections where the rates apply; and   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
B. Trustees may reduce the impact fee or connection fee, as those terms are defined in Title 30‑A, section 5061, for sewer service to newly constructed affordable housing in accordance with Title 30‑A, chapter 202‑A.
This paragraph is deemed to be incorporated into the private and special laws governing a sewer district, and any part of a sewer district charter not in conformity with this paragraph is void, unless the sewer district's charter expressly references this paragraph or former section 1252, subsection 12 and specifically provides that this paragraph or former section 1252, subsection 12 does not apply.   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
2.  Multidistrict rates.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a standard district that shares, supplies or contracts for services with another district shall establish rates mutually agreeable to the trustees of each participating district.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
3.  Readiness to serve.
A standard district's rates may include readiness to serve rates charged against owners of real estate abutting or accessible but not connected to sewers or drains of the standard district, whether or not the real estate is improved.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
4.  Interest on late payments.
A standard district may charge and collect interest on delinquent accounts at a rate not to exceed the highest lawful rate set by the Treasurer of State for municipal taxes.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
5.  Adoption of rate schedule.
Prior to the adoption of a new rate schedule, the trustees shall hold a public hearing regarding the proposed rate schedule. The trustees shall publish the proposed rates and notice of the hearing not less than once in a newspaper having a general circulation in the district not less than 7 days prior to the hearing. The standard district shall mail to each ratepayer a notice of the public hearing and the proposed rate at least 14 days prior to the hearing.
This subsection is deemed to be incorporated into the private and special laws governing a sewer district, and any part of a sewer district charter not in conformity with this subsection is void, unless the sewer district's charter expressly references this subsection or former section 1252, subsection 1 and specifically provides that this subsection or former section 1252, subsection 1 does not apply.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
6.  Revenue from rates.
Rates established by the trustees in accordance with this chapter must be fixed and adjusted so as to produce in aggregate revenue at least sufficient, together with any other revenues, to:
A. Pay the current expenses of operating and maintaining the sewerage, drainage and treatment system of the standard district;   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
B. Pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all bonds and notes issued by the standard district under this chapter as they become due and payable;   [RR 2013, c. 2, §51 (COR).]
C. Create and maintain reserves as may be required by any trust agreement or resolution securing bonds and notes;   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
D. Provide funds for paying the cost of all necessary repairs, replacements and renewals of the sewerage, drainage and treatment systems of the standard district; and   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
E. Pay or provide for all amounts that the standard district may be obligated to pay or provide for by law or contract, including any resolution or contract with or benefit of the holders of its bonds and notes.   [PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
[RR 2013, c. 2, §51 (COR).]
7.  Rates in an unorganized territory.
If a standard district encompasses unorganized territory, rates applicable to real estate in that unorganized territory must be charged against the person or entity in possession of the real estate.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
8.  Civil action for unpaid rates.
If rates under this section are not paid, and a standard district does not collect unpaid rates as a qualified sewer district under section 1050, then the standard district may maintain a civil action against the person who has not paid rates for the amount of the unpaid rates plus 10% interest.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
9.  Disconnection of water service for nonpayment of sewer services.
If a standard district is part of a multidistrict utility that is a consumer-owned water utility, the utility may disconnect water service for failure to pay for sewer service in accordance with Title 35‑A, section 6111‑C.
[PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
RR 2013, c. 2, §51 (COR). PL 2013, c. 555, §6 (NEW).