§ 407-9. Usage rates and charges.

A. 

Rates and charges shall be as follows:

Effective April 1, 2005:

(1) 

Water rate: 100 cubic feet (748 gallons)

	Number of Units	Rate Per 100 Cubic Feet (748 gallons)
	0 to 20	$3.60
	21 to 40	$4.13
	Over 40	$4.74

(2) 

Service charge: $10 per quarter.

Rate and charges shall be as follows effective March 4, 2004:

(3) 

Turn-on charge: $50.

(4) 

Turn-off charge: $50.

(5) 

Final reading: $35.

(6) 

Meter freeze-ups: minimum of $200, plus materials.

(7) 

Meter/outside reader tampering: $300, plus estimated usage and/or repair; prosecute as larceny from public utility under MGL C. 40, § 39G.

(8) 

Late charges.

(a) 

Late charges shall be as follows: $10 per month.

(b) 

Interest: 0.0117 per month after 30 days.

B. 

Meters will be read quarterly and/or monthly, bills are rendered quarterly and/or monthly. All water takers will be charged at least the minimum rate per quarter and/or monthly. Seasonal or temporary discontinuance of water is allowed, but a turn-off fee of $50 on fees will be charged.

C. 

All bills are due and payable within 30 days. Overdue bills are subject to late charges above. Water may be shut off for nonpayment of bills or disregard of rules and regulations. Before water is turned back on, the delinquent bill, plus turn-on charge, must be paid. Unpaid water bills constitute a lien on real estate, and collections on committed accounts may be made by the Town through sale of property (MGL C. 40, §§ 42A to 42I, inclusive).

(1) 

First late notification: over one day past due (i.e., 31 days from when the bill was generated). Notification will include language regarding the status of the overdue account and the GWD's Rules and Regulations.

(2) 

Second late notification: over 15 days past due (i.e., 45 days from when the bill was generated). Notification will include language regarding the status of the overdue account and the GWD's Rules and Regulations.

(3) 

Third and final notification: over 30 days past due (i.e., 60 days from when the bill was generated). Final notification will include language regarding the status of the overdue account and the GWD's Rules and Regulations. The notification will also include language regarding this final step and that your water will be terminated within 48 hours and "your account needs to be paid in full." A brightly colored notice will also be placed on the door/s of the account in question with a specific date and time the water service shall be terminated. In addition, the GWD will mark the location of the water service shut-off.

(4) 

If a payment is not received on an overdue account or arrangements made with the Water Department, water service shall be shut off and/or terminated and not turned back on until the entire balance has been paid in full. Restoration of water service shall include a turn-on charge of $50.

D. 

Where two or more tenants or occupants are supplied on the same premises, the water may be shut off for failure of a tenant or occupant to comply, even though one or more of the tenants has made settlement for his share of total amount due.

E. 

Customers are urged to notify the Water Department promptly of a bill which appears high and/or excessive. It becomes increasingly difficult to verify accuracy of a reading otherwise. Water Department personnel will be dispatched promptly to recheck meter reading and to check for leaks.

F. 

The customer will be charged for and will pay for all water that has been registered by the meter regardless of the leaks or the manner in which the water was consumed.

G. 

Customers are responsible for maintaining, at their own expense, plumbing and fixtures within their premises in good repair, free from leaks and protected from freezing.