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Northampton,
Bucks County, Municipal Authority
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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- What is an assessment?
- When will the assessment monies become due?
- Why do I have to pay if I don't have a failing
septic system (OLDS)?
- What happens if I cannot pay the obligation by
the due date?
- If a lien is placed on my property, when must
I pay off the lien obligation?
- What is a benefit assessment as compared to front
foot assessment?
- What costs are included in the project?
- What other costs will I incur?
- What is a sewer tapping fee?
- What will the cost be for public water if the
public water option is endorsed?
- What are the rates the Authority charges for
sanitary sewer service?
- What are the rates the Authority charges for
public water service?
- How am I going to pay for this?
- Will the Authority offer a payment plan?
- I pay taxes, why do I have to pay the fees and
costs?
- Why don't you spread the cost among the entire
system, not just those in the project area?
What is the sewer project going to cost
me?
The cost of the project is unknown at this time. The Authority
has engaged Gilmore & Associates and CKS Engineers to perform
the required preliminary engineering to estimate the cost.
It is our desire to provide an estimated cost range by the end
of calendar year 2007.
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What is an assessment?
A means of fairly allocating costs of the project to those who
benefit from the project.
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When will the assessment monies become
due?
The property owner is responsible for payment of the assessment
when the Authority engineer has certified the substantial completion
of the project.
The property owner is given 6 months to pay the obligation from
the date of the Engineering certification.
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Why do I have to pay if I don't have
a failing septic system (OLDS)?
Pennsylvania municipal laws provide that everyone who benefits
in the project area must participate.
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What happens if I cannot pay the obligation
by the due date?
If the property owner fails or is unable to satisfy the obligation
by the due date the Authority will place a lien on the property.
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If a lien is placed on my property, when
must I pay off the lien obligation?
Upon the sale or mortgage refinance of the property.
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What is a benefit assessment as compared
to a front foot assessment?
To be fair in calculating assessments, benefit assessment is
used in lieu of front foot assessment in the case if irregularly
shaped properties when the front foot assessment is deemed impractical.
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What costs are included in the project?
The costs of engineering, legal and construction of collection
lines, pavement & highway restoration, property restoration,
easement acquisitions, pumping stations, force mains, and treatment
facilities acquisition.
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What other costs will I incur?
Municipal permits, tapping fees, installation of the sanitary
sewer lateral, grinder pumps (if applicable), excavation and restoration
of property, abandonment of existing OLDS in accordance with Municipal
code, site-specific costs, and sampling chambers for industrial
properties.
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What is a sewer tapping fee?
Acquisition of capacity/treatment/conveyance for the sanitary
sewer. The cost of buying into your fair share of the township's
sanitary sewer system.
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What will the cost be for public water
if the public water option is endorsed?
We are working on obtaining preliminary estimates. It is our
hope to have those projections available by January 2008. Actual
costs would not be known until the bidding process and construction
is completed.
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What are the rates the Authority charges
for sanitary sewer service?
Rates for sanitary sewer service have not changed since January
2005
Customers with Sanitary Sewer & Waste Service are charged
a base service plus a fee based upon the amount of water consumed.
Current Rates:
Base Rate- $48.07 per quarter
Plus- $4.06 per 1,000 gallons
Customers that do not have public water are charged a flat rate
of $133.34 per qtr.
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What are the rates the Authority
charges for public water service?
Rates for public water have not changed since January 2005
Current Rates:
Base Rate- $11.50 per quarter
First 5,000 gallons- $2.93 per 1,000 gallons
6,000 to 25,000 gallons- $4.31 per 1,000 gallons
Over 25,000 gallons- $6.44 per 1,000 gallons
An average residential property in Northampton Township consumes
21,000 gallons of water per quarter (3 months). Your use may vary
greatly depending upon individual consumption habits.
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How am I going to pay for this?
If personal funds are not readily available to pay for your fair
share of the project, you should contact your financial consultant
or local bank.
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Will the Authority offer a payment plan?
The Authority recognizes that numerous property owners have inquired
about payment plans. The Authority will investigate options and
alternatives for property owner financing.
The Authority is exploring various means of acquiring grants
and/or low interest financing for the individual property owner.
We will be contacting our legislators, state agencies, and local
banks to explore what options are viable.
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I pay taxes, why do I have to pay the
fees and costs?
The Municipal Authority is a non-profit government agency whose
sole purpose is to provide the highest quality of water and sanitary
sewer service to its rate players. No tax monies are used in the
operation of the Authority.
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Why don't you spread the cost among
the entire system, not just those in the project area?
Those properties already served by the Authority, have already
paid the costs required.
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