7. Water districts; trustees' compensation. The trustees of a water district receive compensation as recommended by the trustees and approved by a majority of the municipal officers of the municipality, including compensation for any duties they perform as officers, as well as for their duties as trustees. For districts serving more than one municipality, any change in the compensation received by the trustees for any duties they perform within the district must be recommended by the trustees and approved by majority vote of the municipal officers in each municipality in municipalities representing a majority of the population within the district. Certification of the vote must be recorded with the Secretary of State and recorded in the bylaws. Compensation for duties as trustees must be on the basis of such specific amount as may be specified in the bylaws, for each meeting actually attended and reimbursement for travel and expenses, with the total not to exceed such specific amount as may be specified in the bylaws. Compensation schedules in effect on January 1, 1982 continue in effect until changed.

Notwithstanding section 6401, subsection 2, this subsection does not apply to any water district for which the charter provides for trustee compensation in a manner inconsistent with this subsection and specifically indicates by its own terms that this subsection or former section 6303, subsection 4 does not apply.

Sec. 4. 35-A MRSA §6413-A is enacted to read:

§6413-A.__Water districts; authority to increase debt limits

Notwithstanding any provision of its charter to the contrary, a water district may increase its debt limit by referendum in accordance with this section.__A water district is not required to use this section and may seek to increase its debt limit by any other lawful means, including pursuant to any other means described in its charter or by seeking legislative amendment to its charter.