Effective September 21, 2001

Sec.1. Territorial limits; incorporation.
The inhabitants and territory within the Town of Ogunquit York County constitute a public sewerage dis trict and a body politic and corporate under the name of “Ogunquit Sewer District.” The purpose of the district, subject to the provisions of section 10 is to take over, control, operate and manage the sanitary sewer system previously owned by the Town of Ogunquit and as further improved and expanded by the Ogunquit Sewer District with all appurtenances thereto; to extend, increase, enlarge and improve the sewer system; to extend the present system or systems so as to furnish sewerage facilities to those parts of the district and as determined appropriate by the trustees of the district to parts of adjoining municipalities not now served with such facilities; to provide for removal and treatment of sewage when, as and if such treatment becomes necessary; and generally to construct, maintain, operate and provide a system of sewerage, sewage disposal and sewage treatment for public purposes and for the health, welfare, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of the district.

Sec. 2. Authority to construct and maintain.
Within the territory and the territory of any adjoining municipality, the Ogunquit Sewer District is author ized to lay pipes, drains, sewers and conduits, and to take up, repair and maintain the same or to contract for the same to be done in, along and through any public or private ways and public grounds and in, along and through lands of any person or corporation as provided in this act, to and into tidal waters, rivers, watercourses or treatment works or to or into any drain or sewer now or here after built that empties into tidal waters, rivers, watercourses or treatment works, the discharge from the tidal waters, river, watercourses or treatment works to be at such points consistent with the requirements of public health that are found convenient and reasonable for the district and the flow of existing watercourses; to construct and maintain treat ment works, pumping situations, basins, reservoirs, flush tanks and such other appliances for collecting, holding, purifying, distributing and disposing of sewage matter and industrial waste and, subject to section 10, of surface and waste water, all as may be necessary or proper: and in general, do any or all other things necessary or incidental to accomplish the purposes of this act.

Notwithstanding the authority mentioned in this section, the board of trustees shall hold a public hearing at least 7 days prior to an anticipated vote of the board upon any proposal for the construction in or extension of the district. The public hearing must be held after providing a minimum 7 days’ notice of the hearing by publication and must be held for the purpose of enabling the trustees to learn of the approval, disapproval or suggested changes of the voters of the district to the proposals.

Sec. 3. Authority to acquire and hold property; right of eminent domain con ferred.
Upon acceptance of this act, and subject to section 10, title to all public sewers in the Town of Ogunquit other than sewers used exclusively for storm or surface water drainage remain with and forth with pass to and are vested in the district, and the district shall maintain and operate the same. Upon approval, title to all plans, maps, specifications and data relating to the exist ing public sewers and, subject to any obligation of the Town of Ogunquit to the United States of America or any agency of the United States of America, all plans, maps, specifications and data relative to any proposed improvement or expansion of the sanitary sewer system of Town of Ogunquit remain with and pass to the district. The district is authorized and empowered to acquire and hold real and personal property necessary or convenient for the purposes of this act, and is expressly granted the right of eminent domain, and for the purposes of this act, is authorized to take and hold, either by exercising its right of eminent domain, or by purchase, lease or otherwise, as for public uses any land, real estate, easements or interests in that land, real estate or easements, and any sewers, drains or conduits and any sewer or drainage rights necessary for constructing, establishing, maintaining and operating sewers, drains, reservoirs, flush tanks, manholes, catch basins, treatment works, pump ing stations and other appliances and property used or useful for collecting, holding, purifying, distributing and disposing of sewage matter and industrial waste and surface and waste waters. Nothing in this section may be con strued as authorizing the district to take by right of eminent domain any of the property or facilities of any other public service corporation or district used or required for future use by the owner of that public service corporation or district in the performance of a public duty, unless expressly authorized by subsequent act of the Legislature.

Sec. 4. Procedures under eminent domain, condemnation, damages and appeals.
In exercising from time to time the right of eminent domain conferred upon it, the district, by its board of trustees, shall proceed in accordance with and is subject to the limitations set forth in the eminent domain procedures set forth in 38 Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1252, Subsection 2.

Sec. 5. Assessment of Damages by County Commissioners; Procedure on Appeals.
(Repealed)

Sec. 6. Limitations on crossing a public utility.
When crossing a public utility, unless consent is given by the company owning or operating the public utility as to place, manner and conditions of the crossing within 30 days after the consent is requested by the district, the Public Utilities Commission shall determine the place, manner and conditions of the crossing; and all work on the property of the public utility must be done under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the public utility, but at the expense of the district. If a sewer line of the district crosses the property or line of a railroad corporation, the procedure is the same as for the crossing of a public utility, except that the Department of Transportation shall determine the place, manner and conditions of the crossing.

Sec. 7. Rights of abutters or others to enter.
Any person may enter his private sewer into any sewer of the district while the same is under construction and before completion of said sewer at the point of entry, and before an entrance charge is established, on obtaining a permit in writing from the trustees; but after the sewer is completed to the point of entry and an entrance charge es tablished on that location, no person shall enter his private sewer into such sewer until he has paid the entrance charge and obtained a permit in writing from the trustees as aforesaid. All such permits shall he recorded by the clerk of the district in its records before the same are issued.

Sec. 8. Contracts with municipalities authorized.
The district is au thorized to contract with persons, corporations, districts and other municipalities both inside and outside the boundaries of the district, including the Town of Ogunquit, to provide for disposal of sewage and commercial and industrial waste through the district’s system and through the system of a person, corporation, district or other municipality; and the Town of Ogunquit is authorized to contract with the district for the collec tion, distribution and disposal of sewage, surface water and other waste matter, and for those purposes, the district may use the money referred to in the private and special laws of 1913, section 5, as amended.

Sec. 9. Excavation or repair work, closing of ways.
When the district enters, digs up or excavates a public way or other land for the purpose of laying its sewers, drains or pipes, constructing manholes or catch basins or their appurtenances, or maintaining the same, or for any other purpose, the work must be expeditiously done with the least possible interruption, and on completion of the work, the district shall restore the way or land to the condi tion it was in prior to such work, or to a condition equally as good.

When the character of the work is such as to endanger travel on any public way, the overseers of the Town of Ogunquit, and the municipal officers of adjoining municipalities, when the instance may apply, may order a temporary closing of the way, and of any intersecting way, upon request of the district, and the way must remain closed to public travel until the over seers or municipal officers, as the case may be, determine that the way is restored to a condition safe for traffic.

Sec. 10. Surface water facilities; joint facilities; separation of same.
Any other provision of this act to the contrary notwithstanding, the district is under no duty or obligation to construct, maintain, improve, extend or pro vide drains, pipes, catch basins or any other facilities for storm or surface water drainage, and all drains, pipes, catch basins or other facilities owned by the Town of Ogunquit and used exclusively for storm or surface water drainage remain the property of the Town of Ogunquit, and no drain, pipe, catch basin or other facility may be transferred to the district to be maintained and operated by the district without the joint approval of the over seers of the Town of Ogunquit and the trustees of the district. Any sewer or drain owned by the Town of Ogunquit at the time of ac ceptance of this act and used for both sanitary sewage disposal and storm and surface water drainage passes to and is vested in the district, and the dis trict is entitled to charge the Town of Ogunquit for the use of the same for storm or surface water drainage at such rates as the trustees may determine. No additional catch basins or other facilities draining into any such combined sewer or drain may be constructed without the approval of the trustees. If and when the district constructs and provides a sewer or drain that permits separation of sanitary sewage previously disposed of through any such com bined sewer or drain, the district, by vote of the trustees, shall transfer and convey back to the Town of Ogunquit the facilities for storm and surface water drainage.

Sec. 11. Free access to premises.
The officers or agents of the district shall have free access to all premises served by its sewers, at all reasonable hours, for inspection of plumbing and sewage fixtures, to ascertain the quality and quantity of sewage discharged and the manner of discharge, and to enforce the provisions of this act and the rules and regulations prescribed by the trustees hereunder.

Sec. 12. Buildings to connect with sewer if available.
Every building within the district intended for industrial business or recreational use or for human habitation, occupancy or use which is located on property abutting on a street or way in which there is a public sewer, or any such building within 150 feet of a public sewer, shall have a house drainage system which shall be caused to be connected with the sewer by the owner or person against whom taxes on the premises are assessed in the most direct manner possible within 90 days after receiving request thereto from the district, or within such further time as the trustees of the district may grant, and, if feasible with a separate connection for each house or building.

Sec. 13. Sanitary provisions, standards and penalty for violations.
The district is authorized to adopt standards as may be required to conform its operations with State and Federal environmental statutes and regulations. Any person who places, discharges or leaves an offensive or injurious matter or material on or in the conduits, catch basins or receptacles of the district contrary to its rules or regulations, or willfully injures any conduit, pipe, reservoir, flush tank, catch basin, manhole, outlet, engine, pump or other property held, owned or used by the district for the purposes of this act is liable to pay twice the amount of the damages to the district, to be recovered in a civil action; and such person, on conviction of any of the acts or willful injury described in this section and any person who violates sections 11 or 12, may be punished by a fine of up to $1000 per day.

Sec. 14. Trustees and officer; tenure of office; annual meetings; election to office; organization; vacancies; compensation.
All of the affairs of the district are managed by a board of 3 trustees, residents of the district, who are chosen as provided in this section.

The district is managed by a board of trustees, the members of which are elected at an annual election to be held at the same time as and in conjunction with the Town of Ogunquit’s annual election. In the event that the Town of Ogunquit does not hold an annual election, the district shall arrange for an annual election to fill the trustee position that ends in that year and to fill any vacancies in the office of trustee. The trustees serve staggered 3-year terms so that, except in the event of vacancies, only one trustee position is the subject of an annual election. The 3-year term of office for each trustee commences on the date of the district’s annual meeting following the trustees election and ends 3 years later on the day immediately preceding the date of the district’s annual meeting.

Vacancies in the office of trustee must be filled by appointment by the remaining trustees until the next annual election. If at an annual election there exists a vacancy in an unexpired term, a trustee must be elected to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term and the voters of the district shall cast their ballots as prescribed in this section, voting for as many candidates as there are offices to be filled.

The annual meeting of the district must be held on the last Monday of June at an hour and place designated by resolution of the board of trustees as provided in the bylaws. At the annual meeting of the district, the trustees shall elect a chair, a treasurer and a clerk to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

At each annual meeting of the district, the board of trustees shall present a proposed budget for the next fiscal year of the district to solicit the approval, disapproval or suggested changes of the voters of the district to the proposed budget. The board of trustees shall adopt a budget for the next fiscal year of the district following public consideration of the budget.

Trustees must be residents of the district. When a trustee ceases to be a resident of the district, that trustee vacates the office as trustee. All trustees, if residents of the district are eligible for reelection or reappointment.

The nomination of all candidates for trustee to be elected as provided by this act must be by nomination papers signed in the aggregate for each candidate by no fewer than 25 qualified voters resident in the district. Each voter signing a nomination paper shall make that voter’s signature in person, and each voter may sub scribe to as many nominations as there are trustees to be elected in the district and no more. The nomination papers, before being filed, must be submitted to the clerk of the Ogunquit Sewer District, who shall certify on the nomination papers that number of the signatures that are names of qualified voters resident in the district. One of the signers to each separate paper shall swear to the truth on the paper, and the certificate of that oath must be annexed to or made upon the nomination papers. The nomination papers must be filed with the clerk of the Ogunquit Sewer District not less than 14 days, exclusive of Sundays previous to the day of the election. With the nomination papers must also be filed the consent in writing of the person or persons nominated. All nomination papers, being filed and being in apparent conformity with the pro visions of this section, are determined to be valid. If not in apparent conformity, they may be seasonably amended under oath. If a candidate who has been duly nominated under the provisions of this section dies before the day of election, or withdraws in writing, or removes that candidate’s place of residence from the dis trict, the vacancy may be supplied in the manner provided in this section for the nom inations, except that the time limit for filing the nomination papers does not apply. The name so supplied for the vacancy must, if the ballots have not been printed, be placed on the ballots instead of the original nomination; or if the ballots have been printed, new ballots containing the new nomination must, if practical, be furnished, or slips containing the new nomination must be printed under the direction of the district clerk and must be pasted upon the ballots and over the name of the candidate whose nomination has been vacated pursuant to this section, and becomes part of the ballots as if originally printed on the ballots. The ballot in the district must contain the names of all candidates so nominated in the district alphabetically arranged, printed in one column under the heading “For Trustee of Ogunquit Sewer District.” Above the heading must be printed “Vote for….. (the number to be elected to be in serted). Make a cross or a check mark to the right of the name(s) voted for.” As many blank spaces must be left after the names of the candidates as there are trustees to be elected in which the voter may, by writing, insert the name of any person or persons for whom the voter desires to vote. In preparing the voter’s ballot the voter shall mark a cross (X) or a check mark (V) against and to the right of the names on the ballot as the voter desires to vote for, not to exceed the number of trustees so to be elected in the district. The result of the election must be declared by the trustees of the district and due certificate of the result filed with the clerk of the Town of Ogunquit.

As soon as convenient after the election or appointment of a new trustee, the board of trustees shall hold a meeting at some convenient place in the district, to be called by any member of the board of trustees in writing, designating the time and place and delivered in hand to the other 2 members not less than 2 full days before the meeting; except that they may meet by agreement without a notice. The trustees may adopt and establish bylaws, consistent with the laws of the State of Maine and the United States, as may be necessary for their own convenience and the proper management of the affairs of the district, and perform any other acts within the powers delegated to them by law.

The trustees from time to time may choose and employ, and fix the compensation of, any other neces sary officers and agents who serve at their pleasure. The treasurer shall furnish bond in such sum and with such sureties as the trustees approve, the cost of the bond to be paid by the district.

Members of the board of trustees are eligible to serve in any office under the board. The trustees receive a salary not to exceed $750 per year and the treasurer may be allowed further compensation, as the trustees determine.

The trustees are sworn to the faithful performance of their duties, which include the duties of any member who serves as clerk or clerk pro tem. They shall make and publish an annual report, including a report of the treasurer, and such report may be included in, and published as part of, the Town of Ogunquit’s report.

Sec. 14-A. Recall.
Trustees of the district may be recalled in accordance with the following provisions.

1. Petition. The qualified electors of the district may petition for the recall of any trustee after the first year of the term for which the trustee is elected by filing a petition with the municipal clerk of the Town of Ogunquit, demanding the recall of the trustee. A trustee may be subject to recall for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office. The petition must be signed by a number of electors of the district equal to at least 25% of the vote cast for the office of Governor at the last gubernatorial election within the Town of Ogunquit. The recall petition must state the reason for which removal is sought.

2. Calling a special election. Within 3 days after the petition is offered for filing, the municipal clerk of the Town of Ogunquit shall determine by careful examination whether the petition is sufficient and so state in a certificate attached to the petition. If the petition is found to be insufficient, the certificate must state the particulars creating the insufficiency. The petition may be amended to correct any insufficiency within 5 days following the affixing of the original certificate. Within 2 days after the offering of the amended petition for filing, the petition must again be carefully examined to determine sufficiency and a certificate stating the findings must be attached. Immediately upon finding an original or amended petition sufficient, the municipal clerk of the Town of Ogunquit shall file the petition and call a special election within the district to be held in accordance with applicable provisions of section 14 not less than 40 days nor more than 45 days from the filing date. The municipal clerk of the Town of Ogunquit shall notify the trustee against whom the recall petition is filed of the special election.

3. Candidates. The trustee against whom the recall petition is filed is a candidate at the special election without nomination unless the trustee resigns within 10 days after the original filing of the petition. A primary may not be held. Candidates for the office may be nominated in accordance with applicable procedures established under section 14 by filing nomination papers with the clerk of the Town of Ogunquit, not later than 5 p.m., 14 days preceding the election and have their names placed on the ballot at the special election.

4. Election. The trustee against whom a recall petition has been filed shall continue to perform the duties of the office until the result of the special election is officially declared. The ballot for the special election must contain the names of all qualified candidates and include the following heading:

“Recall Election for Trustee of the Ogunquit Sewer District. Vote for one by placing a cross or check mark beside the name of the person for whom you are voting”

The person receiving the highest number of votes at the special election is elected for the remainder of the term. If the incumbent receives the highest number of votes, the incumbent continues in office. If another person receives the highest number of votes, that person succeeds the incumbent, if qualified, within 10 days after receiving notification.

5. Further recalls prohibited. After one recall petition and special election, a further recall petition may not be filed against the same trustee during the term for which that trustee was elected.

Sec. 15. Special meeting; qualifications of voters of district.
Special meetings of the district may be called by the board of trustees at any time and notice of those special meetings stating the place and time of the special meeting and the business to be transacted must be signed by the chair or clerk of the board of trustees and must be conspicuously posted in at least 2 public places within the district, not less than 7 days inclusive of Sundays, before the meeting. Any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by vote of the qualified voters present at the meeting, though less than a quorum, and without notice of the time and place of the adjourned session, other than announcement at the meeting. Eleven persons qualified to vote in the meetings constitute a quorum. All special meetings of the district are presided over by a moderator chosen in the same manner and having the same authority as moderators of town meetings. All persons resident in the district and qualified to vote for the Governor under the laws of this State are entitled to vote in any special meeting of the district. The registrar of voters of the Town of Ogunquit shall furnish a current list of qualified voters to the trustees by which the trustees shall determine the qualified voters for the purposes of the special meeting.

On the written petition of at least 50 qualified voters of the Ogunquit Sewer District, the trustees shall call a special meeting. If the trustees fail to call a special meeting, it may be called by the municipal officers. The written petition must state the purposes, time and place of the special meeting and, in distinct articles, the business to be acted upon at the meeting. Other business may not be acted upon at the special meeting. The special meeting must be noticed as provided in this section. At any special meeting, the qualified voters of the district are entitled to vote. The results of the vote are nonbonding on the trustees but the trustees shall consider the results of the vote to be the will of voters of the district.

Sec. 16. Property tax exempt.
The property, both real and personal, rights and franchises of the district shall be forever exempt from taxation.

Sec. 17. Authorized to borrow money, to issue bonds and notes.
For accomplishing the purposes of this act, the district, by vote of its board of trustees, without district vote except as provided in this section, is authorized to borrow money temporarily and to issue for its negotiable notes, and for the purpose for renewing and refunding the indebtedness so created, of paying any necessary expenses and liabilities incurred under this act, including organ izational and other necessary expenses and liabilities whether incurred by the district or incurred prior to the organization of the district by the Town of Ogunquit, the district being authorized to reimburse the Town of Ogunquit for any such expense incurred or paid by it, and in ac quiring properties, paying damages, laying sewers, drains and conduits, constructing, maintaining and operating a sewage plant or system and making renewals, additions, extensions and improvements to the same and to cover interest payments during the period of construction, the Ogunquit Sewer Dis trict, by votes of its board of trustees, without district vote except as provided in this section, is also authorized to issue, from time to time, bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the district in such amount or amounts, bear ing interest at such rate or rates, and having such terms and provisions as the trustees determine. The total indebtedness of the district at any one time outstanding may not exceed the sum of $7,000,000. In the case of a vote by the trustees to authorize bonds or notes to pay for the acquisition of property, for the cost of a sewage plant or system or part of a sewage plant or system, for renewals or additions or for other improvements in the nature of capital costs, the estimated cost of which singly or in the aggregate is $100,000 or more, but not for renewing or refunding existing indebtedness or to pay for maintenance, repairs or for cur rent expenses, notice of the proposed debt and of the general purpose or pur poses for which it was authorized must be given by the clerk by publication at least once in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Ogunquit. No debt may be incurred under a vote of the trustees until the expiration of 7 full days following the date on which the notice was first pub lished. Prior to the expiration of the period, the trustees may call a special district meeting for the purpose of permitting the voters of the district to express approval or disapproval of the amount of debt so authorized, and the trustees shall call a special district meeting, if within 7 days following the publication of the notice, there was filed with the clerk of the district a petition or petitions signed by no fewer than 50 qualified voters of the district requesting that such a special district meeting be called. If at the district meeting a majority of voters present and voting expresses dis approval of the amount of debt authorized by the trustees, the debt may not be incurred and the vote of the trustees authorizing the same is void. The bonds, notes and evidences of indebtedness may be issued to mature serially in annual installments of not less than 2% of the face amount of the issue and beginning not later than 3 years from the date thereof, or made to run for such periods as the trustees may determine, but an issue may not run for a longer period than 40 years from the date of original issue of the bond. Bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness may be issued with or without provi sion for calling the same prior to maturity; and if callable may be made callable at par or at such premium as the trustees may determine. All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness must have inscribed upon their face the words “Ogunquit Sewer District,” must be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the chair of the board of trustees of the district, and if coupon bonds are issued, the interest coupons attached must bear the facsimile of the signature of the treasurer. All bonds, notes and evidences of indebtedness so issued by the district are legal obligations of the district, which is declared to be a quasi-municipal corporation within the meaning of the Maine Revised Statutes Title 30-A, section 5701, as amended, and all provisions of the section apply. The district may, from time to time, issue in one series or in separate series, its bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness, for the purpose of paying, redeeming or refunding outstanding bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness, and each authorized issue con stitutes a separate loan. All bonds, notes and evidences of indebtedness issued by the district are legal investments for savings banks in the State of Maine and are tax exempt. The district is authorized and empowered to enter into agreements with the State Government or Federal Government to grant or loan money to or otherwise assist in the financing of projects such as the district is authorized to carry out, and to accept grants and borrow money from any such government agency, corporation, commission or board as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions of this act.

Sec. 18. Sinking fund provided for.
In case any of said bonds or notes are made to run for a period of years, a sinking fund shall be established by the trustees of said district for the purpose of redeeming each issue of said bonds or notes when they become due and beginning not later than the third year following the date of each such issue, a sum equal to not less than 2% of the original face amount of the bonds or notes so issued on account of or in behalf of said district, as aforesaid, shall be turned into said sinking fund each year to provide for the final extinguishment of said district funded debt.

The money set aside for a sinking fund and any increment thereon shall be devoted to the retirement of such issue of notes and bonds, and shall be used for no other purposes, and shall be invested in such securities as savings banks are allowed to hold, provided, however, that any surplus in a sinking fund not re quired for the retirement of a particular issue of notes or bonds may be trans ferred to a sinking fund established for any other issue of notes or bonds of the district at the time outstanding or, if there are no such outstanding notes or bonds, for any lawful purpose.

Whenever any bonds or notes of said district for which a sinking fund has been established become due, or can be purchased by said trustees on favorable terms, said trustees shall, if sufficient funds have accumulated in said sinking fund for such issue, redeem or purchase said bonds or notes, and cancel them. In no case shall bonds or notes so cancelled or redeemed be reissued.

In case the amount in said sinking fund shall not be sufficient to pay the total amount of the bonds or notes falling due at any one time, authority to issue new bonds sufficient to redeem so many of said bonds or notes as cannot be redeemed from the sinking fund is hereby granted to said trustees.

Sec. 19. Rates and tolls; application of revenues.
All persons, firms and corporations, whether public, private or municipal shall pay to the treasurer of said district the rates, tolls, rents, entrance charges and other lawful charges established or revised by the trustees for the sewer or drainage service used or available with respect to their real estate, which rates shall be fair and reason able charges for connection with and for the use of the sewer or drainage service and may include a charge for the district’s readiness to serve to be 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 establishing or revising such rate, tolls, rents or charges, the trustees may classify the property connected or to be connected with the District’s sewerage system and may give consideration to any factors relating to kind, quality or extent of use of any such property or qualification of property including:

I. The volume of water discharge into the sewerage system;

II. The type and size of buildings connected with such system;

III. The number of plumbing fixtures connected with such system;

IV. The number of persons customarily using the property served by such system;

V. In the case of commercial or industrial property, the average number of employees, customers and guests using the property; and

VI. The quality and character of the material discharged into the sewerage system.

The trustees may establish minimum charges in connection with and for the use of its sewerage system.

Rates, tolls, rents and entrance charges shall be uniform whenever the cost to the district of installation and maintenance of sewers and drains and their respective appurtenances and the cost of service is substantially uniform; but nothing in this act 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.

The sewer rates, tolls, rents and entrance charges shall be so established as to provide revenue for the following purposes:

I. To pay the current expenses for operating and maintaining the sewerage system;

II. To provide for the payment of interest on the indebtedness created by the district;

III. To provide each year a sum equal to not less than 1 % nor more than 5% of the entire indebtedness created by said district, which sum shall be used to pay serial bonds or notes when due or be turned into a sinking fund and there kept to provide for the extinguishment of said indebtedness;

IV. If any surplus remains at the end of the year, it may be turned into a sinking fund, if any, or held as a reserve to pay maturing serial debt, or if no funded debt of the district is outstanding, for any lawful purpose.

In establishing or revising such rates, tolls, rents or charges to be effective on or after January 1,1976, the board of trustees shall hold a public hearing at least 30 days prior to the effective date thereof. Such public hearing shall be held after providing a minimum 7 days’ notice of such hearing by publication and shall be held for the purpose of enabling the trustees to solicit the approval, disapproval or suggested changes of the voters of the district to such rates, tolls, rents or charges to be established or revised.

Sec. 20. Assessments against lots benefited.
When the district has constructed a common sewer or constructed or acquired other improvements associated with a common sewer, the trustees may, if they so determine, in order to recover the expenses of the construction, determine what lots or parcels of land, whether or not buildings or other structures are located on the lots or parcels of land or whether or not they are otherwise improved, are benefited by such sewer, construction or acquisition. The district shall then esti mate and assess upon such lots and parcels of land, and against the owner of the lots or parcels of land, or person in possession or against whom taxes on the lots or parcels of land are assessed, whether the person to whom the assessment is so made is the owner, tenant, lessee or agent, or against the heirs or devisees of a deceased owner without designating any of them by name and whether the same is occupied or not, a sum reflecting an appropriate portion of the expenses of constructing the common sewer or acquisition of other improvements, the amount assessed not to exceed the amount of such benefit as the district determines just and equitable towards defraying the expenses of constructing and completing such sewer, construction or acquisition of other improvements, together with such sewage disposal units and appurtenances as may be necessary. The trustees shall file with the clerk of the district a plan showing the location of such sewer or construction or showing acquisition of other improvements sewage disposal units and their assessment roll con taining a statement of the amount assessed upon each lot or parcel of land so assessed, a description of each lot or parcel, and the name of the person against whom the assessment is made. The clerk of the district shall record the same in a book kept for that purpose, and each person so assessed must be notified of the assessment by having an authentic copy of the assessment roll, with an order or notice signed by the clerk of the district, stating the time and place for a hearing upon the subject matter of the assessments, given to each person so assessed or left at the person’s usual place of abode in the district at least 10 days before the hearing, or by mailing the same to each person so assessed by certified mail addressed to the persons last known address and by publishing the same once a week, for 3 successive weeks in any newspaper of general circulation in the district, the mailing and the last such publication to be at least 30 days before the hearing. A return made upon a copy of such notice by a notary public or the production of the paper containing such notice or the certifi cate of the clerk of mailing or publication is conclusive evidence that the notice has been given. At the hearing the trustees shall have the power to revise, increase or diminish any of the assessments, and any revisions, increases or diminutions be in writing and recorded by the clerk of the district. The trustees also have the power to make supplemental assessments for additional expenses it incurs in the construction of common sewers or acquisitions of other improvements. Supplemental assessments may he made within 5 years from the date of any assessment roll whenever it appears any lot or parcel of land benefited has been omitted from the assessment or improperly assessed or any part of the original assessment is invalid or void for any reason. Supplemental assessments may be made according to the procedures and the principles for assessments

Sec. 21. Right of appeal.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of said trustees as it relates to any assessment for sewer construction shall have the same rights of appeal as are provided in the case of laying out of town ways.

Sec. 22. Assessments; lien; sheriff’s sale.
All assessments and supplemental assessments made under section 20 create a lien upon each and every lot or parcel of land so assessed and the buildings upon the same. The lien takes effect when the trustees file with the clerk of the district the completed assessment roIl, and continues for one year thereafter or for one year after the termination of any appeal; and within 10 days after the date of hearing on the assessment, the clerk of the district shall make out a list of all assess ments, the amount of each, and the name of the person against whom the same is assessed, and the clerk shall certify the list and deliver it to the treasurer of the district. If the assessments are not paid within 3 months from the date thereof, the treasurer may bring civil action for the collection of the assessment in the name of the district against the person against whom the assessment is made. The action is begun by writ of attachment commanding the officer serv ing it to specially attach the real estate upon which the lien is claimed, which must be served as other writs of attachment to enforce liens on real estate. The declaration in such action shall contain a statement of such assessment, a descrip tion of the real estate against which the assessment is made, and an allegation that a lien is claimed on the real estate to secure the payment of the assessment. If service is not made upon the defendant or it appears that any other per sons are interested in the real estate, the court shall order further notice of the action as appears proper, and shall allow other persons to become parties to the action. If it appears upon trial of the action that the assessment was legally made against the real estate, and is unpaid, and that there is an existing lien on the real estate for the payment of the assessment, judgment must be rendered for the assessment, interest and costs of suit against the de fendants and against the real estate upon which the assessment was made, and execution issued on the assessment to be enforced by sale of the real estate in the manner provided for a sale on execution of real estate attached on original writs; as long as in making the sale, the officer shall follow the procedure in selling and conveying and there must be the same rights of redemption as are provided in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 941.

Sec. 23. Additional method of collection of assessments.
If assessments under section 20 are not paid and the district does not proceed to collect unpaid assessments by a sheriff’s sale of the real estate upon which the assessments are made under section 22, or does not collect or is in any manner delayed or defeated in collecting the assessments by a sheriff’s sale of the real estate under section 22. then the treasurer, in the name of the district, may maintain a civil action against the party so assessed for the amount of the assessment or supplemental assessment, as for money paid, laid out and expended, in any court of competent jurisdiction, and in a suit may recover the amount of the assessment, with interest at the rate of 10% per year on the same from the date of the assessment or supplemental assessment, and costs.

Sec. 24. Assessments paid by other than owner, how recovered.
When any assessment under section 20 is paid by any person against whom the assessment has been made, who is not the owner of the lot or parcel of land, then the person so paying the same has a lien upon the lot or parcel of land with the buildings on the lot or parcel for the amount of the assessment so paid by the person, and incidental charges, which lien continues for one year and which lien may be enforced in a civil action as for money paid, laid out and ex pended, and by attachment in the way and manner provided for the enforcement of liens upon buildings and lots under the Maine Revised Statutes Title 36, Section 941.

Sec. 25. Lien securing collection of rates; lien certificates for collection of assessments on rates; procedure.
Liens on lots or parcels of land created by section 22, in addition to other methods established by law, may be enforced in the following manner.

There is a lien to secure the payment of rates established under section 19 and assessments established under section 20 of this act assessed by the district on real estate within the district. This lien takes precedence of all other claims on such real estate, excepting only claims for taxes. The treasurer of the district has the authority and power to collect the rates, and all rates must be committed to the treasurer.

In addition to other methods previously established by law for the col lection of the rates, the lien created may be enforced in the follow ing manner, as long as in making the assessment there is a description of the real estate served by the several sewers of the dis trict, that is sufficiently accurate to identify the real estate against which any of the several rates may be charged. The treasurer, when a rate, assessment or supplemental assessment has been com­mitted to the treasurer for collection, may, after the expiration of 8 months and within 1 year after commitment to the treasurer of the rate, give to the person against whom the rate, is assessed, or leave at the person’s last and usual place of abode, or send by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person’s last known address, a notice in writing signed by the treasurer stating the amount of rate, assessment or supplemental assessment describing the real estate on which the rate is being assessed, alleging that a lien is claimed on the real estate to secure the payment of the rate and demand ing the payment of the rate within 10 days after the service of such notice. After the expiration of the 10 days and within 10 days after the expiration, if the rate, assessment or supplemental assessment remains unpaid, the treasurer shall record in the registry of deeds of York County a certificate signed by the treasurer setting forth the amount of the rate, assessment or supplemental assessment a description of the real estate on which the rate is assessed and an allegation that a lien is claimed on the real estate to secure the payment of the rate, assessment or supplemental assessment, that a demand for payment of the rate has been made in accordance with the provisions of this act and that the rate remains unpaid. In all cases, the certificate so filed need not contain the allegation that payment of the rate has been demanded. At the time of the recording of the certificate in the registry of deeds as provided in this section, in all cases such treasurer shall file in the office of the district a true copy of the certificate and also at the time of recording, the treasurer shall mail by certified mail, return receipt requested to each record holder of a mortgage on the real estate, addressed to the mortgage holder at the mortgage holder’s last and usual place of abode, a true copy of the certificate. The fee to be charged to the rate-payer or person assessed for the notice and filing must include the costs of mailing copies of the certificate to the record holders of a mortgage on the real estate and the then-current fee charged by the register of deeds for the filing.

The filing of the certificate in the registry of deeds is deemed to create and shall creates a mortgage on the real estate to the district having priority over all other mortgages, liens, attach ments and encumbrances of any nature, except liens, attachments and claims for municipal property taxes, and shall give the district all the rights usually incident to a mort gage, except that the mortgagee shall not have any right of possession of the real estate until the right of redemption provided for in this section has expired.

If the mortgage, together with interest and costs has not have been paid within 18 months after the date of filing of the certificate in the regis try of deeds as provided in this section, the mortgage is deemed to have been foreclosed and the right of redemption to have expired.

The treasurer shall notify the party named on the certificate and each record holder of a mortgage on the real estate no more than 45 days nor less than 30 days before the date of foreclosure of the mortgage created under this section. The notification shall be in writing left at the owner’s and all mortgagees’ last and usual abode or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owners and mortgagees at their last known addresses. The notice shall indicate the exact date of foreclosure and include the warnings and other information substantially in the following form:

STATE OF MAINE
OGUNQUIT SEWER DISTRICT
NOTICE OF IMPENDING AUTOMATIC FORECLOSURE OF SEWER LIEN
P. & S. L. 2000, c.__

IMPORTANT: DO NOT DISREGARD THIS NOTICE YOU WILL LOSE YOUR PROPERTY UNLESS YOU TIMELY PAY THE SEWER CHARGES, COSTS AND INTERESTS THAT HAVE BEEN LIENED BY THE OGUNQUIT SEWER DISTRICT

TO:

You are the party named on the Sewer Lien Certificate filed on _________, 19___, and recorded in the York County Registry of Deeds in Book _____, Page _____. The filing created a sewer lien mortgage on the real estate described in the Sewer Lien Certificate. On _________, 19__, the sewer lien mortgage will be foreclosed and your rights to redeem the mortgage and recover your property by paying the sewer charges, costs and interest that are owed will expire.

IF THE SEWER LIEN FORECLOSES THE OGUNQUIT SEWER DISTRICT WILL OWN YOUR PROPERTY SUBJECT ONLY TO MUNICIPAL TAX LIENS.

If you cannot pay the outstanding sewer charges, costs and interest that are the subject of this notice, please contact me to discuss this notice.

________________________ District Treasurer

The filing of the certificate in the registry of deeds shall be sufficient notice of the existence of the mortgage herein provided for. In the event that the rate, interest and costs shall be paid within the pe riod of redemption herein provided for, the treasurer of the district shall discharge the mortgage in the same manner as is now provided for dis charge of real estate mortgages.

The treasurer shall send out all bills for the rates, tolls, rents and other charges by January 1st of each year and all such rates, tolls, rents and charges shall become due and payable on June 15th of the same year. The trustees shall grant a 2% discount upon all rates, tolls, rents and other charges paid before March 15th of each year and there shall be a charge of interest on all unpaid rates, tolls, rents and other charges after August 15th of each year, such charge of interest to be at the prevailing rate of interest being charged by the Town of Wells for the late payment of real estate taxes.

The fee to be charged by the district to the ratepayer for such notice and filing shall not exceed $3 in addition to the fee to be charged to the district by the register of deeds for filing and recording the same.

Sec. 26. Lien for payment of rates.
(Repealed)

Sec. 27. Construction of this act; bylaws and regulations authorized; inci dental powers and rights.
This act shall be construed as authorizing a charge by the district for the use of sewers, sewer systems and treatment works in addition to any other assessments now lawfully imposed by general law. The trustees may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary or convenient to carry out the provisions of this act. All incidental powers, rights and privi leges necessary to the accomplishment of the main objects of this act as set forth herein are granted to the district; including the right of the trustees to determine when and where sewerage facilities are most needed, and when and how sewers shall be built.

The provisions of this act shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provisions of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or cir cumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application thereof to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 28. Existing statutes not affected; rights conferred subject to provisions of law.
Nothing herein contained is intended to repeal or shall be construed as repealing the whole or any part of any existing statute, and all the rights and duties herein mentioned shall be exercised and performed in accordance with any applicable provisions of the Revised Statutes of 1954, chapters 44 and 79, and any acts amendatory thereof or additional thereto.

Sec. 29. P. & S. L., 1913, C. 203, § 2, amended.
The first paragraph of sec tion 2 of chapter 203 of the private and special laws of 1913, as amended by chapter 120 of the private and special laws of 1931, is hereby amended to read as follows:

‘Said corporation is hereby authorized and vested with the power, at any legal meeting called for the purpose, to apportion and designate the uses to which the money referred to in section 5 hereof shall be put, said uses for said moneys and said purposes being among other things as follows: To create and maintain a fire department with all the necessary equipment, appliances and apparatus for the prevention and extinguishment of fires; to build, maintain and repair roads, streets and ways, sidewalks, storm sewers and the collection and removal of offal and garbage; but not sanitary sewers or other sewerage treatment facilities authority to construct and maintain which has been granted to Ogunquit Sewer District; to care for and beautify that portion of the corporate territory of Ogunquit which may hereafter be reserved for and dedicated to pubic uses to be enjoyed in common by all the inhabitants of said Ogunquit Village Corporation, and to that end to build roads and walks upon and to said public lands, and to plant and care for trees in the roads and streets and upon said public lands; to build, repair and maintain public wharves and landings, to widen, deepen, extend and maintain the channel of the Josias River between Flat Pond and the sea; and to widen, deepen and enlarge Flat Pond; and for said purposes to take and acquire by purchase or by eminent domain between the Mayo Falls, so-called, and the sea, any marshland along or through which said river flows, and any land lying on either side of said river from the thread of the stream to a line not more than 50 feet from mean high water mark, and said corporation may exercise the right of eminent domain in the taking of land along said river for the purposes herein specified, in the same manner as provided in chapter 27 of the Revised Statutes, for the ascertainment of damages in the location and establishment of highways; provided, that application by either party in interest for the determination of damages shall be made within three years after the land is so taken; to establish and maintain police and night watch; to procure water for fire, domestic and other purposes, and to procure light for public use and for the use of the inhabitants of said village corporation; said village corporation shall so long as the present water contract continues to pay its proportion of the total expense therefore to the Town of Wells, and upon the expiration of said contract shall have authority to contract therefore with such other firm or corporation as it sees fit, providing said town neglects or refuses after reasonable time for so doing; said town may contract for water for said purposes, and if said town shall contract said corporation shall pay its portion of its expense for the same. And for the purposes of obtaining light as above mentioned, said village corporation shall have authority to contract with any individual, firm or corporation to furnish such light for either or both of the purposes above mentioned.

Referendum; effective date; certificate to Secretary of State. In view of the emergency recited in the preamble, this act shall take effect when approved, only for the purpose of permitting its submission to the legal voters of the Ogunquit Village Corporation at an annual or special meeting. Such special meeting shall be called, advertised and conducted by the municipal officers of said Ogunquit Village Corporation according to the law relating to its municipal elections; provided that the Village Corporation clerk shall not be required to post a new list of voters, and for the purpose of registration of voters the board of overseers shall be in session on the secular day next preceding any such special meeting. The Ogunquit Village Corporation clerk shall prepare the required ballots, on which he shall reduce the subject matter of this act to the following question: “Shall the Act to Create the Ogunquit Sewer District, passed by the 101st Legislature, be accepted?” The voters shall indicate by a cross or checkmark placed against the words “Yes” or “No” their opinion of the same.

This Act shall take effect for all the purposes hereof immediately upon its acceptance by a majority of the legal voters voting at said annual or special meeting; provided the total number of votes cast for and against the acceptance of this act at said meeting equals or exceeds 10% of the total vote for all candidates for Governor in said village corporation at the next previous gubernatorial election; but failure of approval at such meeting shall not prevent resubmitting this act for acceptance at any annual or special corporation meeting held within 2 years from the effective date hereof, in the same manner as above provided, notwithstanding an earlier vote against such acceptance.

The result of each such vote shall be declared by the municipal officers and due certificate thereof filed by the village corporation clerk with the Secretary of State.’