Vermont § 501 - Water Department

§ 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.)