REPLACEMENT OF METERS ORDINANCE
The Board of Water Commissioners of the Carle Place Water District is empowered by the Town Law of the State of New York and the Nassau County Civil Divisions Act to adopt ordinances, rules and regulations relating to the operation of the water district and the use of water therein.
This Ordinance, duly adopted by the Carle Place Water District Board of Water Commissioners on the 28th day of February, 2023, shall become and be effective and enforceable as of the 15th day of March, 2023.
A water meter measures the quantity or volume of water that passes through a pipe. This measurement is then used to calculate the fee charged by the District to a customer. A customer is a water consumer who has an established account with the District.
The water meters currently used throughout the District require the appearances of District employees at or near the meters to obtain a reading on water usage. In some cases, the meters are located within a structure and therefore the customer, or his agent, must be present to allow the District employee access into the structure to obtain a meter reading. In addition, the water meters currently used throughout the District have generally surpassed their useful life.
The advancement of smart meter technology enables the wireless transmission of customer water meter readings directly to the District, further enables customers to track their water use from their smartphone or computer and assists the District in detecting leaks sooner, which furthers water conservation.
The District has purchased smart meters for installation. The District will contract with a third party vendor for the installation of the smart meters within the District.
Section 1
The District shall provide notice of the meter replacement program to customers within the District by a regular mailing through the United States Postal Service, a publishing in the District’s designated newspaper(s), and the District webpage at least thirty (30) days in advance of the notice discussed in Section 2 below.
Section 2
Upon at least thirty (30) days’ notice to customers by regular mail through the United States Postal Service and publishing in the District’s designated newspaper(s), the District shall commence replacing meters on a District wide basis for the purpose of increasing operational efficiency.
Section 3
Customers who do not provide access to a meter for replacement purposes after three written requests by the District or its vendor for access shall be in violation of this Ordinance. Thereafter, non-compliance with each further written request shall be deemed a new violation of this Ordinance and therefore separate from any previous violation of this Ordinance.
Section 4
Customers with fewer than five violations of this Ordinance:
a. shall be assessed a water bill based upon average past water bill readings which shall include a service charge, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00), for the preparation of each bill based upon average past readings; and
b. shall be subject to the imposition of a fine in accordance with this Ordinance, the Nassau County Civil Divisions Act or New York State Law in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for each violation of this ordinance.
Section 5
Customers with five or more violations of this Ordinance shall be subject to the assessments and penalties discussed in Section 4 of the Ordinance and; upon thirty (30) days written notice delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested, regular mail and personal delivery shall, as determined by the District’s Board of Water Commissioners to be in the best interest of the District:
a. have their water service discontinued by the District; or
b. be subject to the installation of a meter, by the District or its vendor. All costs associated with the installation of the meter pit shall be a charge to the customer. The customer shall be notified of the costs associated with the installation of the meter pit at least thirty (30) days in advance of the installation by certified mail, return receipt requested, regular mail and personal delivery.
Board of Commissioners
Carle Place Water District
Timothy E. Stellato
Kenneth M. Gass, Jr.
Italo J. Vacchio