Collections
If a customer has an unpaid balance on a terminated account, the Town will:
- Transfer the amount to an active account, OR
- Mail two notices to the customer requesting payment.
If payment is not received, the unpaid account balance is sent to collection.
Delinquent Accounts
When a utility bill has not been paid within thirty (30) days after the bill due date, the account will be processed for discontinuation of service.
A delinquent letter will be mailed to the customer, allowing ten (10) days to pay the delinquent amount to avoid disconnect of service.
If payment of the delinquent amount is not received by the due date, the Town will attempt to make one contact with the customer with a phone call or door hanger before disconnecting the service. There is a $10.00 charge for serving this final notice (avoiding a $40.00 shut-off charge).
The utilities will be shut-off if full payment of the delinquent amount has not been received after the due date and after a phone call or door hanger. There is a $40.00 charge for the shut-off. If reconnection is requested after 4:00 pm, there is an additional $50.00 charge. Accounts for which service has been disconnected for non-payment are subject to payment of the disconnect and reconnect fees, which are payable prior to reconnection of service, in addition to the original delinquent amount due.
Deposits
Residential
New customers, current customers with a late payment history, or previous customers who have not had utilities in their name in the prior six months, must pay a $100.00 new service deposit. The deposit is returned automatically with interest provided there has been 12 months of good payment history.
Commercial
New commercial accounts require a deposit totaling the highest three consecutive months' utility bills from the previous twenty-four months, with a minimum of $150.00. The deposit is refunded after 24 months of good payment history.
Existing customers purchasing a new commercial business and/or building with less than a five year good customer payment history - required to pay a deposit equal to the highest three consecutive months' utility bills from the previous 24 months of similar business. The deposit is to be held for a minimum of 24 months before refunded plus interest. The business must be in the same name to be considered for the five plus year good customer payment history to be considered for any waiver of deposit.
Late Fees
A late fee of 1.5% will be charged to accounts that are 30 days in arrears.
Returned Payments
Customers will be notified in writing when a check or bank draft has been returned for non-payment. The amount of the payment will be added back on to the account along with a $15.00 fee. If a customer has three returned payments in a one-year calendar period, they will be required to pay in cash or certified funds for the following 12 months.