§ 108-501. Water Department

(a) Upon the effective date of this merger, the geographic area formerly covered by the then abolished Village of Bristol shall constitute a Water Department service area for the purpose of providing water services therein. However, said Water Department shall be responsible for continuing the present specific water services already in existence and being provided beyond said geographic area prior to the effective date of this merger.

(b) The water system taken over from the Village of Bristol and any additions thereto or modifications thereof shall be maintained separate from all other departments of the Town and no part of the rents and revenues therefrom may be used for any other purpose.

(c) Unless otherwise voted by the Town at a Town meeting, all costs of the Water Department shall be paid by the users thereof and the annual water rents or charges shall be at a rate sufficient to cover annual expenditures, temporary indebtedness, the amortizing of bonded indebtedness, and interest and any dedicated (sinking) funds. Prior to the setting of the annual budget and annual water rents or charges, the water commissioners shall each year hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving input concerning a proposed annual budget and annual water rents or charges for the Water Department. The public notice for each such public hearing shall be given not less than 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing by the publication of the date, place, and purpose of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Bristol and by the posting of the same information in one or more public places within the Water Department service area.

(d) The Selectboard of the Town of Bristol shall be the water commissioners who, in connection with those powers enumerated in the general laws of the State with respect to waterworks and supply, shall have the power to adopt and enforce rules, regulations, or ordinances concerning the control and operation of such water system.

(e) The Water Department service area may be enlarged or modified by the water commissioners after holding a public hearing on any such proposed enlargement or modification. The public notice for each such public hearing shall be given not less than 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing by the publication of the date, place, and purpose of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Bristol and by the posting of the same information in one or more public places within the Water Department service area. (Added 1994, No. M-20, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.)