reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3210. Eminent domain; authority; survey

§ 3210. Eminent domain; authority; survey
(a) A municipality shall have the right to acquire by condemnation a fee simple title or any other interest in real property which it may determine necessary for or in connection with an urban renewal project under this chapter. The powers conferred upon municipalities under this section shall be considered “urban renewal project powers” as defined in subsection 3219(b) of this title and the term “municipality,”, as used in this section, shall mean the agency, board, commissioner or officers having such powers under subsection 3219(a) of this title. The municipality shall set out the necessary lands and cause them to be surveyed. An urban renewal plan approved under subsection 3207(d) of this title may be considered to constitute such a survey.
(b) Unless two-thirds of the voters present and voting thereon at an annual or special meeting duly warned for that purpose vote otherwise, nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the taking, by condemnation proceedings, of property of any religious, charitable, or educational society, institution, or organization, unless held or used by it for commercial purposes, without the written consent of the trustees or the governing body of such society, institution, or organization. Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired hereunder but no real property belonging to the State or any political subdivision thereof shall be acquired without its consent. (Amended 1963, No. 2, § 3, eff. Feb. 14, 1963; 1964, No. 9 (Sp. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 5, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3215. Bonds as legal investments

§ 3215. Bonds as legal investments
All banks, trust companies, bankers, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking or investment business; all insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business; and all executors, administrators, curators, trustees, and other fiduciaries, may legally invest any sinking funds, monies, or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds or other obligations issued by a municipality pursuant to this chapter or by any urban renewal agency or housing authority vested with urban renewal project powers under section 3219 of this chapter; provided, that such bonds and other obligations shall be secured by an agreement between the issuer and the federal government in which the issuer agrees to borrow from the federal government and the federal government agrees to lend to the issuer, prior to the maturity of such bonds or other obligations, monies in an amount which, together with any other monies irrevocably committed to the payment of interest on such bonds or other obligations, will suffice to pay the principal of such bonds or other obligations with interest to maturity thereon, which monies under the terms of said agreement are required to be used for the purpose of paying the principal of and the interest on such bonds or other obligations at their maturity. Such bonds and other obligations shall be authorized security for all public deposits. It is the purpose of this section to authorize any persons, political subdivisions, and officers, public or private, to use any funds owned or controlled by them for the purchase of any such bonds or other obligations. Nothing contained in this section with regard to legal investments shall be construed as relieving any person of any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3216. Property exempt from taxes and from levy and sale by virtue of an execution

§ 3216. Property exempt from taxes and from levy and sale by virtue of an execution
(a) All property of a municipality, including funds, owned or held by it for the purposes of this chapter shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution, and no execution or other judicial process shall issue against the same nor shall judgment against a municipality be a charge or lien upon such property; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to or limit the right of obligees to pursue any remedies for the enforcement of any pledge or lien given pursuant to this act by a municipality on its rents, fees, grants, or revenues from urban renewal projects.
(b) The property of a municipality, acquired or held for the purposes of this chapter, is declared to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and such property shall be exempt from all taxes of the municipality, the county, the State, or any political subdivision thereof; provided, that such tax exemption shall terminate when the municipality sells, leases, or otherwise disposes of such property in an urban renewal area to a purchaser or lessee which is not a public body entitled to tax exemption with respect to such property.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3218. Title of purchaser

§ 3218. Title of purchaser
Any instrument executed by a municipality and purporting to convey any right, title, or interest in any property under this chapter shall be conclusively presumed to have been executed in compliance with the provisions of this chapter insofar as title or other interest of any bona fide purchasers, lessees, or transferees of such property is concerned.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3219. Exercise of powers in carrying out urban renewal project

§ 3219. Exercise of powers in carrying out urban renewal project
(a) A municipality may itself exercise its urban renewal project powers, as herein defined, or may, if the local governing body by resolution determines such action to be in the public interest, elect to have such powers exercised by the urban renewal agency created by section 3220 of this title or by the housing authority, if one exists or is subsequently established in the community. In the event the local governing body makes such determination, the urban renewal agency or the housing authority, as the case may be, shall be vested with all of the urban renewal project powers in the same manner as though all such powers were conferred on such agency or authority instead of the municipality. If the local governing body does not elect to make such determination, the municipality in its discretion may exercise its urban renewal project powers through a board or commissioner or through such officers of the municipality as the local governing body may by resolution determine.
(b) As used in this section, the term “urban renewal project powers” shall include the rights, powers, functions, and duties of a municipality under this chapter, except the following: the power to determine an area to be a slum or blighted area or combination thereof and to designate such area as appropriate for an urban renewal project and to hold any public hearing required with respect thereto; the power to approve urban renewal plans and modifications thereof; the power to approve general neighborhood renewal plans and community-wide plans or programs for urban renewal; the power to acquire, demolish, remove, or dispose of property as provided in subdivision 3209(4)(A); the power to establish as general plan for the locality as a whole; the power to formulate a workable program under section 3205 of this title; the power to make the determinations and findings provided for in sections 3204, 3206, and 3207(d) of this title; the power to issue general obligation bonds under subsection 3217(d); the power to assume the responsibility to bear loss as provided in subdivision 3209(4); and the power to appropriate funds, to levy taxes and assessments, and to exercise other powers provided for in subdivision 3209(9) of this title. (Amended 1966, No. 69 (Sp. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 14, 1966.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 85 - Urban Renewal › § 3221. Interested public officials, commissioners, or employees

§ 3221. Interested public officials, commissioners, or employees
No public official or employee of a municipality, or board or commission thereof, and no commissioner or employee of a housing authority or urban renewal agency which has been vested by a municipality with urban renewal project powers under section 3219 of this title shall voluntarily acquire any personal interest, direct or indirect, in any urban renewal project, or in any property included or planned to be included in any urban renewal project of such municipality or in any contract or proposed contract in connection with such urban renewal project. Where such acquisition is not voluntary, the interest acquired shall be immediately disclosed in writing to the local governing body and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the governing body. If any such official, commissioner, or employee presently owns or controls, or owned or controlled within the preceding two years, any interest, direct or indirect, in any property which he or she knows is included or planned to be included in an urban renewal project, he or she shall immediately disclose this fact in writing to the local governing body, and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the governing body, and any such official, commissioner, or employee shall not participate in any action by the municipality, or board or commission thereof, housing authority, or urban renewal agency affecting such property. Any disclosure required to be made by this section to the local governing body shall concurrently be made to a housing authority or urban renewal agency which has been vested with urban renewal project powers by the municipality pursuant to the provisions of section 3219 of this title. No commissioner or other officer of any housing authority, urban renewal agency, board, or commission exercising powers pursuant to this chapter shall hold any other public office under the municipality other than his or her commissionership or office with respect to such housing authority, urban renewal agency, board, or commission. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute misconduct in office.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3251. Definitions

§ 3251. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Legislative body” means “legislative body” as defined in section 2001 of this title.
(2) “Property” means real estate.
(3) “Sewage system” means “sewage system” as defined in subdivision 3501(6) of this title.
(4) “Special assessment” means a tax assessed against one or more properties receiving the benefit of a particular public improvement, as distinguished from a tax on the entire grand list of a municipality.
(5) “Water system” means “water system” as defined in subdivision 3341(b)(2) of this title without reference to any determination by the water commission. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3252. Purpose of assessments

§ 3252. Purpose of assessments
Special assessments may be made for the purchase, construction, repair, reconstruction, or extension of a water system or sewage system, or any other public improvement that is of benefit to a limited area of a municipality to be served by the improvement, including those projects authorized under subchapter 2 of this chapter. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 2009, No. 45, § 15i, eff. May 27, 2009.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3253. Method of apportionment

§ 3253. Method of apportionment
A special assessment may be apportioned among the properties to be benefited thereby according to the listed value of such properties in the grand list, the frontage thereof, the added value accruing to each property by reason of the public improvement for which such assessment is made, or by any method other than the foregoing that results in a fair apportionment of the cost of the improvement in accordance with the benefits received. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3254. Approval of voters

§ 3254. Approval of voters
A special assessment under this chapter shall be levied only by vote of a majority of the qualified voters of the municipality voting at an annual or special meeting duly warned for that purpose. However, the question need not be submitted to the voters if all of the owners of record of property to be assessed, or of any interest therein, other than mortgagees or lien holders, consent in writing to the assessment. Either the vote or the consent shall include approval of the method of apportionment of the assessment. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3255. Collection of assessments; liens

§ 3255. Collection of assessments; liens
(a) Special assessments under this chapter shall constitute a lien on the property against which the assessment is made in the same manner and to the same extent as taxes assessed on the grand list of a municipality, and all procedures and remedies for the collection of taxes shall apply to special assessments.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a lien for an assessment under subchapter 2 of this chapter shall be subordinate to all liens on the property in existence at the time the lien for the assessment is filed on the land records, shall be subordinate to a first mortgage on the property recorded after such filing, and shall be superior to any other lien on the property recorded after such filing. In no way shall this subsection affect the status or priority of any municipal lien other than a lien for an assessment under subchapter 2 of this chapter. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 2, 1970; amended 2011, No. 47, § 18a, eff. July 1, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3256. Construction with other laws

§ 3256. Construction with other laws
Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit the financing of any of the improvements referred to in this chapter by a tax on the grand list of a municipality, or by other means. (Added 1969, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 2, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3261. Property-assessed clean energy districts; approval of voters

§ 3261. Property-assessed clean energy districts; approval of voters
(a)(1) In this subchapter, “district” means a property-assessed clean energy district.
(2) The legislative body of a town, city, or incorporated village may submit to the voters of the municipality the question of whether to designate the municipality as a property-assessed clean energy district. In a district, only those property owners who have entered into written agreements with the municipality under section 3262 of this title would be subject to a special assessment, as set forth in section 3255 of this title.
(b) Upon a vote of approval by a majority of the qualified voters of the municipality voting at an annual or special meeting duly warned for that purpose, the municipality may incur indebtedness for or otherwise finance projects relating to renewable energy, as defined in 30 V.S.A. § 8002(17), or to eligible projects relating to energy efficiency as defined by section 3267 of this title, undertaken by owners of dwellings, as defined in Section 103(v) of the federal Truth in Lending Act, within the boundaries of the town, city, or incorporated village. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009; amended 2011, No. 47, § 18c, eff. May 25, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3263. Costs of operation of district

§ 3263. Costs of operation of district
The owners of real property who have entered into written agreements with the municipality under section 3262 of this title shall be obligated to cover the costs of operating the district. A municipality may use other available funds to operate the district. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3264. Rights of property owners

§ 3264. Rights of property owners
A property owner who has entered into a written agreement with the municipality under section 3262 of this title may enter into a private agreement for the installation or construction of a project relating to renewable energy, as defined in 30 V.S.A. § 8002(17), or relating to energy efficiency as defined in section 3267 of this title. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3265. Liability of municipality

§ 3265. Liability of municipality
(a) A municipality that incurs indebtedness for or otherwise finances projects under this subchapter shall not be liable for the failure of performance of a project.
(b) A municipality that incurs indebtedness for bonding under this subchapter shall pledge the full faith and credit of the municipality. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3266. Intermunicipal agreements

§ 3266. Intermunicipal agreements
Two or more municipalities, by resolution of their respective legislative bodies or boards, may establish and enter into agreements for incurring indebtedness or otherwise financing projects under this subchapter. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3267. Eligible energy efficiency projects; assistance to municipalities

§ 3267. Eligible energy efficiency projects; assistance to municipalities
Those entities appointed as energy efficiency utilities under 30 V.S.A. § 209(d):
(1) shall develop a list of eligible energy efficiency projects and shall make the list available to the public on or before July 1 of each year; and
(2) shall provide information concerning implementation of this subchapter to each municipality, within the area in which the entity delivers efficiency services, that requests such information, and shall contact each such municipality that votes to establish a district to offer this information. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009; amended 2011, No. 47, § 18e, eff. Jan. 1, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3268. Release of lien

§ 3268. Release of lien
(a) A municipality shall release a participating property owner of the lien on the property against which the assessment under this subchapter is made upon full payment of the value of the assessment.
(b) Notice of a release of a lien for an assessment under this subchapter shall be filed with the clerk of the applicable municipality for recording in the land records of that municipality. (Added 2009, No. 45, § 15j, eff. May 27, 2009; amended 2011, No. 47, § 18f, eff. Jan. 1, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 87 - Special Assessments › § 3271. Monitoring; compliance; underwriting criteria

§ 3271. Monitoring; compliance; underwriting criteria
The Department of Public Service created under 30 V.S.A. § 1 shall monitor and evaluate, for compliance with the underwriting criteria, standards, and procedures established under subsections 3262(a) (underwriting criteria for assessments) and 3269(c) and (d) (underwriting standards and procedures; loss reserve fund) of this title, all activities to which those criteria, standards, and procedures apply that are undertaken by an entity appointed under 30 V.S.A. § 209(d)(2) to deliver energy efficiency programs. The Department shall consult with the Department of Financial Regulation in performing these tasks. The Department of Public Service may combine its tasks under this section with monitoring and evaluation of an energy efficiency entity conducted pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 209(d) or (e). (Added 2011, No. 47, § 18i, eff. Jan. 1, 2012; amended 2011, No. 78 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 2, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3301. Water supply; construction; condemnation; exceptions

§ 3301. Water supply; construction; condemnation; exceptions
A municipal corporation is hereby authorized and empowered to construct, maintain, and repair an artesian well, reservoir or reservoirs, pumps, engines, and apparatus; take, purchase, and acquire any artesian wells, ponds, springs, streams, water courses, real estate, water rights, flowage rights, and easements necessary for its purposes within the limits provided by this section, together with such land surrounding and adjacent to the same as may be reasonably necessary for protecting and preserving the purity of the water in such artesian wells, ponds, springs, and streams; and may enclose such artesian wells, ponds, springs, and streams by suitable fences for the purpose of such protection; and such corporation, within the limits set forth in this section, and subject to the provisions of 30 V.S.A. § 108, may take, acquire, or purchase any or all of the rights or properties owned or operated by any person or corporation engaged in the business of a water company, as defined by 30 V.S.A. § 203, within the limits of such municipal corporation. Such corporation may enter in and upon any land or water for the purpose of making surveys, may take and construct dams and reservoirs, lay pipes and aqueducts, may connect the same with the main aqueduct as may be necessary to convey the water taken to the reservoirs of such municipal corporation and distribute the same through such municipal corporation for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants thereof with water for fire, domestic, and other purposes. However, such municipal corporation shall not take otherwise than by purchase water or a spring of water that the owner or lessee or other person having a vested right or interest in such water or the use thereof may reasonably require for domestic use or the watering of animals on the premises where such water may be in use. (Amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 256.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3302. Entry on lands

§ 3302. Entry on lands
For the purposes enumerated in section 3301 of this title, such municipal corporation may enter upon and use any land and enclosures over or through which it may be necessary for an aqueduct or pipes to pass, and may thereon dig, place, lay, and construct such pipes, aqueducts, reservoirs, appurtenances, and connections as may be necessary for the complete construction and repairing of the same. From time to time, such corporation may open the ground in any streets, lanes, avenues, highways, and public grounds for the purpose of laying down and repairing such pipes, aqueducts, reservoirs, and appurtenances, as may be necessary for conducting the water and the purposes aforesaid. However, such streets, lanes, avenues, highways, and public grounds shall not be injured, but shall be left in as good condition as before the laying of such pipes, aqueducts, reservoirs, and appurtenances.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3303. Compensation; condemnation

§ 3303. Compensation; condemnation
The municipal corporation may agree with the owner or owners of any property, franchise, easement, or right that may be required by the municipal corporation for the purposes of this chapter, as to the compensation to be paid. In case of failure to agree as to the compensation, or in case the owner is an infant, a person who lacks capacity to protect his or her interests due to a mental condition or psychiatric disability, absent from the State, unknown, or the owner of a contingent interest, the Superior Court within and for the county where the subject property is situated on the petition of either party, may cause the notice to be given of the petition as the presiding judge of the court may prescribe. After proof thereof, the presiding judge may appoint three disinterested persons as commissioners to examine the property to be taken or damaged by the municipal corporation. The commissioners after being duly sworn, upon due notice to all parties in interest, shall view the premises, hear the parties in respect to the property, and shall assess and award to the owners and persons so interested just damages for any injury sustained and make report in writing to the presiding judge. The presiding judge may accept the report, unless just cause is shown to the contrary. The presiding judge may order the municipal corporation to pay the same in the time and manner as he or she may prescribe, in full compensation for the property taken, or the injury done by the municipal corporation, or the presiding judge may reject or recommit the report if the ends of justice so require. On compliance with the order, the municipal corporation may proceed with the construction of its work without liability for further claim for damages. The presiding judge may award costs in the proceeding in his or her discretion. The cause may be transferred to the Supreme Court as provided in 12 V.S.A. § 4601. (Amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 154; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 257.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3305. Contract for water

§ 3305. Contract for water
(a) Such municipal corporation may contract with any town, city, or village, or any corporation and individuals to supply water to such municipal corporation for the protection of property and for domestic and other purposes.
(b) A municipal corporation is authorized to enter into, with any contracting party or parties, contracts, leases, or lease-purchase agreements with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of water systems. These contracts may be entered into for terms not to exceed 40 years or the useful life of the system, whichever is less. (Amended 1983, No. 191 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3306. Charges; lien

§ 3306. Charges; lien
The owner or occupant of any tenement, house, or building who takes the water of a municipal corporation shall be liable for the rent or price of the same, and the officers and agents of the municipal corporation entrusted with the care and superintendence of the water may at all reasonable times enter all premises so supplied to examine the pipes and fixtures and prevent any unnecessary waste. If any person, without the consent of the municipal corporation, shall use any water, a civil action on this statute may be maintained against the person by the municipal corporation for the recovery of damages. The charges, rates, or rents for water shall be a lien upon the real estate furnished with the municipal corporation water in the same manner and to the same effect as taxes are a lien on real estate under 32 V.S.A. § 5061. (Amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 258.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3307. Interference with supply

§ 3307. Interference with supply
If any person diverts the water or part of any of the artesian wells, ponds, springs, streams, aqueducts, water courses, or reservoirs, that shall be taken, used, or constructed by such municipal corporation, or shall corrupt the same, or make it impure, or commit any nuisance therein, or shall bathe therein, or within the limits, that may be taken or prescribed by such municipal corporation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or injure or destroy any artesian well, dam, embankment, aqueduct, pipe, reservoir, conduit, hydrant, structure, pump, machinery, or other property held, owned, or used by such municipal corporation under the provisions of this chapter, such person shall be liable to such municipal corporation in treble damages, to be recovered in a civil action on this statute, and any such person on conviction of a violation under this section shall be fined not exceeding $100.00 or committed to the Commissioner of Corrections not more than six months, or both. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 17; 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 23; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 259.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3308. Taxes; bonds

§ 3308. Taxes; bonds
For the purpose of successfully organizing, establishing, and operating its waterworks, and making such improvements as may be necessary, such municipal corporation is authorized and empowered to purchase, take, and hold real and personal estate; levy and collect such taxes upon the ratable estate of the municipal corporation as is necessary for the payment of municipal corporation water department expenses and indebtedness; issue its negotiable bonds in such sums and payable at such times and places as may be deemed advisable, for the purpose aforesaid only; and borrow such money from time to time as may be necessary to enable the water department to carry on the work of adequately supplying the municipal corporation with water.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3310. Limitations

§ 3310. Limitations
Bonds issued under the authority of this chapter shall be authorized and issued in accordance with and subject to the limitations and provisions of chapter 53, subchapter 1 of this title. They shall not be considered as indebtedness of the municipal corporation limited by section 1762 of this title, may be paid in not more than 40 years from the date of issue notwithstanding the limitation of section 1759 of this title, may be authorized by a majority of those voting by ballot on the question at a meeting of the municipal corporation held for the purpose under chapter 53, subchapter 1 of this title notwithstanding any provisions of general or special law that may require a greater vote, and may be so arranged that beginning with the first year in which principal is payable, the amount of principal and interest in any year shall be as nearly equal as is practicable according to the denomination in which such bonds or other evidences of indebtedness are issued notwithstanding other permissible payment schedules authorized by section 1759 of this title. (Amended 1965, No. 63, eff. May 19, 1965; 1971, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 22, 1972.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3311. Rates

§ 3311. Rates
Such municipal corporation may establish rates by meter service or annual rents to be charged and paid at such times, and in such manner as such municipal corporation shall determine for the supply of water to the inhabitants of such municipal corporation and others. From time to time, it may alter, modify, increase, or diminish such rates and extend them to any description of property or use as such municipal corporation may deem proper. Such rates or rents may be ordered to be paid in advance, and all necessary orders and provision may be made and enforced by such municipal corporation, relating to the supply or stoppage of water, as it may deem necessary to insure such advance payments.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3313. Duties of water commissioners, use of proceeds

§ 3313. Duties of water commissioners, use of proceeds
(a) Water commissioners shall have the supervision of such municipal water department and shall make and establish all needful water rates, charges, rules, and regulations for its control and operation. Such commissioners may appoint or remove a superintendent at their pleasure. The receipts derived by the municipal corporation from its waterworks shall only be used and applied to pay the principal and interest upon the water bonds of such municipal corporation, the expense of repairs and management of the water department, and payment into the dedicated fund created under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Receipts derived by a municipality from its waterworks may be deposited in a dedicated fund created by the water commissioners under section 2804 of this title, to finance major rehabilitation, major maintenance and costs of upgrading the water supply system, and for the accumulation of funds to be used to match federal funds pursuant to 10 V.S.A. § 1624(d). Such revenues may include a surcharge established by the water commissioners of up to 15 percent on the costs of normal operations, maintenance, and debt service. The fund balance shall not exceed the estimated costs of the purposes for which the fund is established, and shall be maintained in deposits insured by the United States of America or an agency of the United States. Withdrawals shall be made only for purposes for which the fund was established. Such a fund shall meet the requirements of subdivision 4756(a)(4) of this title. (Amended 1997, No. 62, § 62, eff. June 26, 1997.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3314. Records

§ 3314. Records
Every bond issued by such municipal corporation for water purposes, under the provisions of sections 3309 and 3310 of this title, shall be signed by the clerk and treasurer of such municipal corporation and shall have the certificate of such clerk that such bond is one of a series authorized by such municipal corporation. Its records shall be so kept as to show the issue of the bonds, the amounts and dates of the same, when due, and the time of their payment.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3315. Ordinances

§ 3315. Ordinances
Such municipal corporation shall have the power to make, establish, alter, amend, or repeal ordinances, regulations, and bylaws relating to the matters contained in this chapter and not inconsistent with law, including the authority to require existing customers to remain connected to such municipal system, and to impose penalties for the breach thereof, and enforce the same. (Amended 1997, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 13.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 89 - Waterworks › § 3316. Meetings; vote

§ 3316. Meetings; vote
Any action taken by a municipal corporation under the provisions of this chapter or relating to the matters set forth in this chapter shall be by vote of the majority of the legal voters of the municipal corporation at a meeting duly warned and held, unless otherwise provided. (Amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 260.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3344. Warnings of meetings

§ 3344. Warnings of meetings
(a) Meetings shall be warned by the clerk, or in case of his or her inability to act, by a majority of the water commissioners, by posting a notice thereof, specifying the time, place, and business of the meeting, in not less than five public places in the district, including at least one public place in each member town, at least 10 days before the time therein specified and causing the same to be published in a paper circulating in the district, such publication to be not less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, and the warning shall be recorded in the office of the clerk before being posted.
(b) Any meeting called for the purpose of considering a bond issue shall be warned as is provided for in chapter 53, subchapter 1 of this title.
(c) The water commissioners shall have the same authority and obligation to warn or call meetings of the district as selectmen have to warn or call town meetings. (Added 1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 10, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3345. Eligibility of voters

§ 3345. Eligibility of voters
Persons residing within the limits of the district, who are qualified voters in their town meetings, shall be voters in the district meeting. The moderator, clerk, and members of the board of water commissioners shall decide all questions as to the eligibility of a person to vote at a district meeting. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 5, eff. March 10, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3346. Check list

§ 3346. Check list
The clerk of each town within a consolidated water district shall furnish to the clerk of the district, at the expense of the district, authenticated copies of the check lists of legal voters within said town as the same appears after revision of such check list before the last town meeting, annual or special, preceding the date of the district meeting, which check list shall control for the purposes of determining the voters eligible to vote at the district meeting. Whenever a matter, including bond issues under chapter 53, subchapter 1 of this title, is to be determined by ballot or voting machine, the board of water commissioners may designate polling places not to exceed one in each member town. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 6, eff. March 10, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3347. Record of proceedings

§ 3347. Record of proceedings
The clerk shall keep a record of the votes and the proceedings of the district meetings and give certified copies thereof when required. A clerk who neglects to perform this duty shall forfeit $20.00 to the district, to be recovered in a civil action on this statute. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 7, eff. March 10, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3350. Special tax assessment for payment of execution

§ 3350. Special tax assessment for payment of execution
When a demand is made upon the district for the payment of an execution issued against it and the district has no available funds to pay the same, the board of water commissioners shall compute the share of each member town in such execution, with costs, interest, and other charges, to be paid by it in accordance with the agreement among the member towns or the formula established in section 3349 of this title, and shall give notice of the amount thereof to the legislative branch of each member town. Such member town through its proper officer shall forthwith pay to the treasurer of the district its share of such execution and any charges. If the member town has insufficient funds to pay its said share, its legislative branch shall forthwith assess and have collected a tax sufficient to pay the same in the manner its other taxes are assessed and collected. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 10, eff. March 10, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3351. Debts and liabilities of member towns

§ 3351. Debts and liabilities of member towns
No debt or liabilities of a town that is a member of the district shall accrue against the district. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 11, eff. March 10, 1964.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3352. Tax exemption

§ 3352. Tax exemption
Property of a consolidated water district shall be exempt from all taxation by any town within the district. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 12, eff. March 10, 1964; amended 1967, No. 209, § 5, eff. April 17, 1967.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3353. Indebtedness

§ 3353. Indebtedness
(a) General obligations. A consolidated water district may incur indebtedness as provided by chapter 53, subchapter 1 of this title and by chapter 89 of this title for the purpose of paying the cost of a water system and improvements to the water system or for funding or refunding, including the payment of premium, any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness issued or assumed by the district, provided, however, that the limits on indebtedness in chapter 53 of this title or otherwise shall not apply to indebtedness incurred or assumed by a consolidated district for the purposes of this chapter.
(b) Joint and severable obligations. Obligations incurred under chapter 53, subchapter 1 and chapter 89 of this title or as otherwise authorized in this chapter by a consolidated water district, except obligations incurred under chapter 53, subchapter 2, shall be the joint and several obligations of the district and the member towns composing it. However, as among the member towns, their respective shares of the obligation shall be apportioned and paid in the manner provided in this chapter. Any joint or several liability incurred by a member town under the provisions of this chapter shall not be considered in determining its debt limit for its own separate purposes. Notwithstanding the limitations in sections 1755 and 1759 of this title, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of a consolidated water district may be authorized by a majority of the voters present and voting on the question at a district meeting, may be paid in not more than 40 years from their date of issue, may be made callable at the option of the district with or without premium, and the serial maturities of the bonds or evidences of indebtedness may be so arranged that beginning with the first year in which principal is payable, the amount of principal and interest payable in any year shall be as nearly equal as is practicable according to the denominations in which the bonds or other evidences of indebtedness are issued.
(c) Obligations payable solely from revenue. In addition to the authority granted in this section, a consolidated water district may issue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness pursuant to chapter 53, subchapter 2 of this title; provided, however, that no such bonds payable solely from revenues shall be issued while the district has outstanding any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness for which the district and the member towns are jointly and severally liable as provided under this chapter, except notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued temporarily in anticipation of revenue. (Added 1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 13, eff. March 10, 1964; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 265.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3354. Changes in membership; inclusion of additional towns

§ 3354. Changes in membership; inclusion of additional towns
(a) When a majority of voters of a town, present and voting at a meeting duly warned for that purpose, vote to apply to a consolidated water district for admission as a member of that district, the vote shall be certified by the clerk of the town to the clerk of the consolidated water district and to the Secretary of State. The vote and certification, if accepted by the consolidated district within two years after the date of the vote, shall be binding on the town without the subsequent vote in the town contemplated in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
(b) When it appears to the board of water commissioners that the boundaries of a consolidated water district should be changed to include another town, they may insert an article fully describing the proposed change in the warning for a regular or special meeting of the district, which proposed change shall state the number of additional members to be added to the board of water commissioners if the change is approved.
(c) When a majority of the voters voting at such a meeting vote to include an additional town within the boundaries of the consolidated water district as a member of the district, the board of water commissioners shall notify the legislative body of the additional town of the vote. Upon notification, the legislative body of the additional town proposed to be included shall duly warn a meeting of the town, setting forth in the warning the vote of the consolidated water district and the proposed change in its boundaries. If a majority of the voters voting at the meeting of the additional town vote to be included within the district, the result of that vote and the result of the vote already taken by the consolidated water district shall be certified to the Secretary of State, who shall record the same in his or her office. A certificate of the record shall immediately be filed by the Secretary of State in the office of the clerk of the consolidated water district and of any additional town to be included as a member of the district, which filing shall be notice to all parties of the addition to the consolidated district.
(d) A consolidated water district so enlarged shall have all the powers and responsibilities given it by this chapter. Any vacancy on the board of water commissioners created as a result of the increase in the number of member towns shall be filled as provided in section 3343 of this title. The additional member town shall share in the expenses of the district in the proportion provided in this chapter for other member towns from the date the certificate of the Secretary of State is filed in the office of the clerk of the district and the office of the clerk of the additional town. (Added 1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 14, eff. March 10, 1964; amended 1967, No. 209, § 6, eff. April 17, 1967; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 266.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 91 - Consolidated Water Districts › § 3355. Withdrawal from district

§ 3355. Withdrawal from district
(a) A town which is a member of a consolidated water district may vote to withdraw from said district if one year has elapsed since said district has become a body politic and corporate as provided in section 3342 of this title and if said consolidated water district has not voted to bond itself for construction or improvements.
(b) When a majority of the voters of a town present and voting at a town meeting duly warned for that purpose shall vote to withdraw from a consolidated water district such vote shall thereupon be certified by the clerk of the town to the Secretary of State who shall thereupon record such certificate in his or her office, and the membership of the withdrawing town in the consolidated water district to be at an end as of December 31 immediately following or as soon thereafter as the obligations of said withdrawing district as incurred under this chapter have been paid to the district.
(c) A vote of withdrawal taken after a consolidated water district has become a body politic and corporate as provided in section 3342 of this title but less than one year after said date shall be null and void. A vote of withdrawal from a consolidated water district taken after said district has voted to bond itself for construction or improvements shall be null and void. (1964, No. 20 (Sp. Sess.), § 15, eff. March 10, 1964.)