38 M.R.S. § 1202 Rates

• Library: Maine Revised Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through 131st (2023-2024) Legislature Chapter 486
• Year: 2023
• Citation: 38 M.R.S. § 1202

All persons, firms and corporations, whether public, private or municipal, shall pay to the treasurer of any district formed under this chapter the rates, tolls, rents, entrance charges and other lawful charges established by the trustees for the sewer or drainage service used or available with respect to their real estate, which rates shall include rates for such district's readiness to serve charged against owners of real estate, abutting on or accessible to, sewers or drains of the district, but not actually connected thereto, whether or not such real estate is improved. In this subchapter, the words "other lawful charges" or "other charges" shall include, but not be limited to, interest on delinquent accounts at a rate not to exceed the highest lawful rate set by the Treasurer of State for municipal taxes. [ 1977, c. 696, § 348 (AMD) .]

Rates, tolls, rents and entrance charges shall be uniform within such district, whenever the cost to the district of installation and maintenance of sewers or their appurtenances and the cost of service is substantially uniform; but nothing shall preclude the district, from establishing a higher rate, toll, rent or entrance charge than the regular rates, tolls, rents and entrance charges in sections where, for any reason, the cost to the district of construction and maintenance, or the cost of service, exceeds the average, but such higher rates, tolls, rents and entrance charges shall be uniform throughout the sections where they apply. [ 1975, c. 461, § 3 (AMD) .]

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 district shall mail to each ratepayer a notice of the public hearing and the proposed new rate at least 14 days prior to the hearing. [ 1981, c. 466, § 12 (NEW) .]

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, districts which share, supply or contract for services with another district shall establish rates, tolls, rents and entrance charges mutually agreeable to the trustees of each participating district. [ 1975, c. 461, § 3-A (NEW) .]