An Act To Amend the Charter of the Addison Point Water District

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  it is imperative that the election of the board of trustees of the Addison Point Water District be clarified prior to the next annual meeting of the district; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. P&SL 1953, c. 73, §7  is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

Sec. 7. Board of trustees; election; terms of trustees; vacancies; officers. All the affairs of the district are managed by a board of 5 trustees. Trustees are elected at the annual meeting of the district. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 6410, subsection 1, when the term of office of a trustee expires, the trustee’s successor is elected at large by a plurality vote of the voters of the district at the annual meeting to serve for a term of 3 years. A vacancy is filled in the same manner for the unexpired term by a special election called by the trustees. Notice of annual meetings and special elections to elect trustees must be published not less than 2 weeks before the meeting or election.

The trustees of the district shall elect a chair from among the trustees and elect a treasurer who may or may not be a trustee and fix the treasurer’s salary.

Sec. 2. P&SL 1953, c. 73, §8  is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

Sec. 8. Annual meeting. The board of trustees may hold an annual meeting upon 14 days' public notice to elect trustees and transact any other business as may properly come before the board. Ten percent of the voters qualified to vote at such meetings constitutes a quorum.

Sec. 3. P&SL 1953, c. 73, §12  is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

Sec. 12. Authorized to receive government aid, borrow money and issue bonds and notes. The authority of the district to receive government aid, borrow money and issue bonds and notes is governed by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 6412.

Sec. 4. P&SL 1953, c. 73, §14  is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

Sec. 14. Rates. The rates of the district must be established in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, chapter 61. The rates must be sufficient to provide revenue to the district to carry out the purposes of its incorporation, without the need for any financial assistance from any municipality, other than the normal payment of water charges for services rendered and any loan or loans provided to the district for initial funds as set forth in Title 35-A, section 6412. All customers of the district shall pay to the treasurer or other designated officer of the district the rates established by the district.

Sec. 5. Transition; trustees in office. Trustees of the Addison Point Water District in office on the effective date of this Act may continue in office until the first annual meeting of the district after the effective date of this Act. At that annual meeting, 5 trustees must be elected, one for 3 years, 2 for 2 years and 2 for one year. When the term of office of a trustee expires, that trustee’s successor is elected in accordance with this Act.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.