Interim Abatement Policy for Water, Sewer, and Trash Fees
Updated June 1, 2004
The Board of Public Works, at its regularly scheduled meeting on June 7, 2004 voted to approve the water, sewer and trash abatement policy as enumerated below:
GENERAL:
The Superintendent of Public Works is authorized by the Board acting as their agent in approving abatement requests which conform to this policy. The Superintendent will provide the Board with a listing by name, location of home, amount of request and approval/ denial of abatements within this policy. Appeals of the Superintendent’s decision will be to the Board. Abatement requests not within this policy will be decided by the Board of Public Works.
A request for abatement due to financial hardship for a residence that is a second home does not qualify for an abatement. If homeowner feels there are extenuating circumstances, he/she may appeal the Superintendent’s denial before the Board of Public Works.
FINANCIAL:
A request for abatement due to financial hardship will only apply to those water, sewer and/or trash customers who (a) are age sixty-five (65) or over at the time water, sewer and/or trash service was provided, and (b) meet DPW-2004-01 Financial Hardship Guidelines (see attached). Abatements for financial hardship will only be for 50% of the water, sewer and/or trash bill.
WATER:
· If a house is burned down to the foundation, water billing would commence when a rough plumbing permit is issued. (Need to have fire record attached to the abatement request).
· For new construction, water billing would commence when a rough plumbing permit is issued.
· If water is not connected to a house (disconnected from house service at the curb stop), then water billing would be based on the minimum first fixture free as a base rate. Fees are also charged for disconnecting/ connecting water service to a house from the curb stop.
SEWER:
Abatements may be granted for sewer use charges when sewer service is not available.
TRASH:
Trash fees may be abated for the following reasons:
(a) Contract with private hauler (must include adequate documentation of trash removal contract AND verification that a Marshfield Transfer Station sticker has not been issued.) The abatement would be for 100% of the trash fee.
(b) Unoccupiable structures (must include objective evidence from the Board of Health or the Building Department certifying that all structures on the property are not able to be occupied). The abatement will be for 100% of the trash fee.
(c) Unserviceable areas may be granted partial abatements for properties that cannot be accessed by collection vehicles due to reduced level of service. The Board of Public Works will authorize the level of abatement on a case-by-case basis. Roads that are not open to the public and common driveways are not considered unserviceable areas and receive service at their nearest intersection with the nearest public road.
(d) Interest abatements will be abated if there is adequate justification provided (proof of new home ownership or copy of recent bill stamped with date payment was received). Interest abatements will be for 100% of the interest if adequate documentation is provided showing the abatement is warranted and the account is paid in full to prevent accrual of further interest charges.
NOTE:
All abatement requests must be submitted in writing using the DPW Abatement request form and include required backup documentation.
SEASONAL/ PART-YEAR USE:
In accordance with Town of Marshfield Bylaws that require trash removal services be provided for all properties “…upon which there exists a structure which is occupied by human beings, or which is susceptible of such occupancy…”, abatements will not be given based upon seasonal or part-year usage of a property.
Robert Shaughnessy, Chairman
Kathryn P. Webers, Vice Chair
Joseph J. Lambert, Senior Member
File: C:\Documents and Settings\dbeals\My Documents\FY2004\Sarah\Proposed Abatement Policy for Water.doc
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