Use this link to view the outline and organizational structure of district bylaws

Use this link to read bylaws under consideration

District bylaws

Unless otherwise annotated, these bylaws adopted 5/9/09:

A. DEFINITIONS

1. "Air break" A physical termination and break in the connection and continuity to any piping, meter or aperture.

2. "Backflow drainage" A reversal of flow in the drainage system.

3. "Backflow preventer" A device or means to prevent backflow.

4. "Board" The Board of the Prudence Island Water District.

5. "Corporation stop" A device installed on the main line which allows connection to a service pipe.

6. "Cross-connection" Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate physical systems, one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas, or chemical whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.

7. "Cross Contamination" The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.

8. "Curb box" A box installed at the end of the PIWD service pipe where the customer pipe begins.

9. "Curb stop" A valve installed in a water service line that connects PIWD service to customer's service and is operable from ground surface. A curb stop is used for stopping flow of water through customer service line and is installed at property line.

10. "Customer" Any person, firm, corporation, government, or governmental division supplied by the Prudence Island Water District.

11. "Main" or "main pipe" The distribution pipe from which service connections are made to supply water to customers.

12. "PIWD" The Prudence Island Water District.

13. "Public water system" The water system operated by the Prudence Island Water District.

14. "Premises" as used herein shall be restricted to the following:

a. A building or combination of buildings owned or leased by one customer and occupied as one residence by one family or one place of business.

b. A building or combination of buildings owned by one customer or corporation having a number of apartments, which are rented, leased, or used by more than one family. Each unit is subject to the minimum yearly fee, in addition to the water usage rates.

c. Any use other than those described above must be approved by the PIWD Board prior to acceptance of an application for service.

15. "Private Fire Service" A system used for fire protection that is not part of the PIWD system, including but not limited to sprinkler systems and private fire hydrants.

16. "Service pipe" or "service connection" The pipe running from the main pipe to the property line of the customer.

17. "Seasonal use" Any intermittent use, season after season, at the same p remises.

18. "Vacuum breaker" A type of backflow preventer installed on openings subject to normal atmospheric pressure.

B. APPLICATIONS FOR SERVICE

1. The PIWD will not discriminate against any consumer or applicant for water service because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including physical or mental handicap provided that the applicant or consumer possesses the capacity to enter into legal contract for services), age, national origin, county of ancestral origin or marital status. This non-discriminatory policy will apply to all services provided or applied for, and for all assessments, taxes or fees that the PIWD might charge. (adopted 7/9/05)

2. No agreement or service shall be granted by the PIWD to any applicant until all arrears and charges due by the applicant at any premises, now or heretofore occupied by it, shall have been paid in full and until all plumbing is to code.

3. A copy of the bylaws will be provided to the applicant as part of the application process, and a signature page signifying receipt of the bylaws will be signed by the applicant and returned with the application.

4. Applications for new service connections shall be made in writing to the PIWD Operations Manager and accepted subject to Board approval and the availability of an existing main in a street or right-of-way abutting on the premises to be served. These bylaws in no way obligate the PIWD to extend its mains in order to provide service to premises under consideration. (revised 1/8/11)

5. Upon Board approval of a new application or request for reinstatement for service the Operations Manager will prepare an estimate and projected start date for the customer.

6. Upon acceptance of the PIWD estimate by the customer payments will be made in two installments: fifty percent (50%) upon acceptance of PIWD estimate, fifty percent (50%) within 30 days of completion.

7. When a prospective customer has made application for a new service or has applied for the reinstatement of an existing service, that service shall comply with the Plumbing Code requirements as set forth by the laws of the State of Rhode Island and PIWD standards. The PIWD shall not be liable, in any circumstances, for any accidental breaks, or leakage arising in any way in connection with the supply of water or failure to supply same, or the freezing of water pipes or fixtures of the customer.

8. Hardship Application for Immediate Service (Adopted 9/18/10)
PIWD will accept an application for immediate service for review. Acceptance of the application is for review and does NOT guarantee service will be provided. Hardship cases will be determined on a case by case basis. The following are guidelines that the PIWD will utilize to help determine eligibility. Other factors may apply and the PIWD may use these factors in the decision process. The following may disqualify you from a hardship connection:
Preexisting conditions (What is the history of the well?)
Salinity in water (seasonal or year round)
Well goes dry during dry seasons
Poor water quality (seasonal or year round)
Is the condition correctable by filters, in-house treatments, drilling deeper or new well
The following may qualify you for a hardship connection:
Well is deep and dried up and there is no room to drill second well
Well became permanently contaminated and there is no room to drill second well safely.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to supply supporting documentation needed for the board to make an educated decision.
Such documentation might include:
Well tests showing history of well
Professional inspections by qualified persons and their findings

9. Waiting list (adopted 1/8/11)
Persons wishing to be put on the waiting list for service may due so by sending an e-mail or written request through the U.S.Postal Service to the Board.
Position on the list will be determined by the postmark on the request. Requests with the same post mark date will be randomly drawn to determine position on the list.
This waiting list position is for a specific lot and the person making the application. It is non-transferable except when the property is transferred within a family.
Acceptance of a request does not guarantee water service will be provided, within a specified timeframe, and in no way obligates the PIWD to extend its mains in order to provide service to premises under consideration.
The Board at its discretion will add service connections to the system when it feels the system can handle such additions.
When an applicant’s position on the list is approved by the Board to be added to the system, the applicant will be given written notice through the U.S.Postal Service of this availability for service, along with a consumers copy of the bylaws. The applicant will be given thirty (30) days to respond to this offer by sending in writing an acceptance letter and signed signature page from the Bylaws agreeing to the terms for water service.
Failure to respond within thirty (30) days will result in losing your position on the list.

C. SERVICE CONNECTIONS

1. The PIWD shall furnish, install, own and maintain all new service connections. The costs of excavation, back fill, and the removal and replacement of paving, walks, curbs, and similar items, including the hiring of traffic control personnel and obtaining the street opening permits necessarily incurred in respect to new services, shall be borne by the customer or other applicant for service.

2. The PIWD shall bear all costs up to the curb stop for replacement of services. This service connection shall be maintained by the PIWD and may be upgraded or changed at any time. The PIWD shall only bear cost up to the curb stop and not on private property.

3. The control of the water supply to the customer shall be by means of a separate curb stop.

4. The PIWD shall furnish and install the following equipment: corporation stop, curb stop, curb box and service pipe to the property line. All pipes shall have a minimum cover to be determined by the PIWD Operations Manager and/or Project Engineer. The size of the service pipe will be determined by the PIWD Operations Manager and/or Project Engineer.

5. The service pipe from the property line to the premises shall be installed at the expense of the customer. For this installation, the customer shall employ a competent plumber or contractor, satisfactory to the PIWD, to do the work. The plumber or approved installer shall be responsible to supply records and an "as built" drawing of what was installed to the PIWD Operations Manager and/or PIWD Project Engineer.

a. All new services, materials and methods of construction shall be approved by the PIWD Operations Manager and/or Project Engineer. If the service has not been installed in accordance with the PIWD's requirements, water service will not be turned on until defects have been remedied. The customer shall maintain the service pipes between the property line to the premises and all piping and fixtures on or in the premises of the customer. An authorized individual shall perform any and all work in a manner satisfactory to the PIWD.

b. Every service must be provided with a workable curb stop located outside the building near the service main, easily accessible and protected from freezing. All piping shall be so arranged as to permit approved drainage whenever necessary. The customer shall make all necessary repairs as may be necessary, from time to time, to prevent leaks and damages. The contractor or customer shall give a record of all changes to the PIWD Operations Manager.

c. All customers having direct pressure hot water tanks must place proper vacuum and relief valves in the pipe system to prevent any damage to such tanks in the event of lack of pressure in the street mains due to shutdowns or other reasons. The PIWD will not supply water to premises where hot water tanks or other appliances are subjected to direct pressure except at the risk of the owner and occupants. Any such damage resulting from failure to comply with this rule must be borne exclusively by the customer.

6. All service pipes shall be laid as required by law and code.

7. On future installations or reinstallations of service lines, only one premise will be supplied through one service pipe.

8. Where more than one premise is now supplied through one service pipe, and under the control of one curb stop, any violation of the rules of the PIWD by either or any of the customers so supplied, shall be deemed a violation by all. The PIWD may take such action as could be taken against a single customer.

Those customers who are not in violation of the PIWD's rules, will be given a reasonable opportunity to attach his /her pipe to a separately controlled service connection.

9. Use of water is confined to the premises named in the contract. No customer shall supply any person not entitled to the use of water, nor shall the customer use it for any purpose not mentioned in his application. No person not entitled to the use of water shall obtain it from any hydrant, fountain, or other fixture of the PIWD without previous consent of the PIWD.

10. The PIWD shall in no event be responsible for maintenance of, or for damage done by water escaping from, the service pipe or any other pipe and fixtures on the outlet side of curb stop; and the customer shall at all times comply with state and municipal regulations in reference thereto and shall make any change thereon required on account of change of grade, relocation of mains or otherwise. Outside faucets shall be equipped with pressure vacuum breakers, to help prevent possible backflow contamination.

11. Cross Contamination Control Plan. The Prudence Island Water District has a Cross Contamination Control Plan in accordance with RI Dept. of Health regulations.

D. PAYMENT FOR SERVICE

1. Water Service Rates, and other charges will be set by the Board annually, but may be changed more often if the board deems it necessary.

2. All bills shall be payable by the due date. There shall be a fifteen (15) day grace period following the due date. Payments received after the grace period will be charged a late fee, monthly. No disputed portion of a bill that relates to the proper application of approved rates and charges, or the PIWD's compliance with these bylaws, shall be considered due during the pendency of any complaint, investigation, hearing or appeal under these bylaws.

a. A non-payment notice will be sent after forty-five (45) days, which will show open invoices, and penalties. (REVISED 8/8/09)

b. After ninety (90) days a SHUTOFF notice will be sent showing open invoices, and penalties.

c. Non payment after one hundred and twenty (120) days from the original invoice date, will result in WATER SERVICE SHUTOFF. The customer will incur a shutoff penalty.

d. A customer has thirty (30) days from receipt of a bill to make an inquiry as to the billing. The billing inquiry should first be addressed to the PIWD Office Manager. Upon receipt of a timely request, the Office Manager will verify that the correct billing was sent, that the information on the bill is accurate and report that information to the customer and the PIWD Treasurer. If the inquiry is based on the inability to pay, the Treasurer is authorized to approve any payment plan that, in his or her judgment, is acceptable and will keep the customer current on a yearly basis.

e. Any timely request for a hearing shall be placed on the PIWD agenda within the next thirty (30) days. The Board may continue the hearing if further information is being sought, or may be continued by the customer one time for good cause shown.

f. Service may not be terminated before a hearing decision, but penalties shall continue to accrue. Unless abated at hearing, the full amount, including penalties and fees is due and payable within fifteen (15) days of the Board's decision. The date of the Board decision shall be the date of the Board vote unless another date is specified.

g. When an account is six months or more overdue, the Board may order that a municipal lien certificate be filed on any past due amount. The customer is responsible for all filing fees.

h. Any checks returned from the bank for any reason are the responsibility of the customer. There is a return check fee (see list of rates and charges) plus any return check expenses incurred by the PIWD from the bank. These expenses and fees will be paid by the customer within seven (7) days of notification thereof.

3. Whenever the customer desires to have water service discontinued, the customer shall notify the PIWD in writing. Until the PIWD receives such notice, the customer shall be responsible for the payment for all service rendered by the PIWD.

4. The presentation or non-presentation of a bill is not a waiver of any of the above rules.

5. It is the responsibility of the customer to furnish up to date contact information. Failure to maintain this information could result in billing errors. The customer will be liable for any late penalties as a result of improper contact information.

E. TERMINATION OF SERVICE

1. Application for Turning off water shall be made in writing no less than seven (7) days prior to desired termination of service. No person shall make an application to turn off service from any property which will be in use or occupied by any person after the desired shut off date. (adopted 12/13/08 as Section"F")

2. Service may be discontinued, or suspended, for anyone of the following reasons:

a. Use of water for purposes other than described in the application.

b. Misrepresentation in application.

c. Willful wastes of water. This would include, but not be limited to:

i. Watering of property during drought or water shortage where use restrictions have been implemented

ii. Filling of Ponds, Swimming pools, Hot tubs etc. during drought or water shortage where use restrictions have been implemented

d. Breakage of pipes due to inadequate protection.

i. In the case of frozen pipes, in addition to suspending service there will be a fine imposed. All such fines shall be determined by the Board annually.

ii. In the case of excessive breakage (more than three) for the same service connection within a three (3) year period, in addition to suspending service there will be a fine imposed. All such fines shall be determined by the Board annually. The customer will be also be required to replace the existing service connection and/or permanently abate the cause of the failures within a time frame set by the Operations Manager. These permanent repairs must be approved by the Operations Manager. If the customer feels the timeframe for replacement is unreasonable, or there is a financial hardship, the customer may ask for a hearing before the board. This written request must be made to the Board within thirty (30) days of the notification for service repairs by the Operations Manager. The PIWD Board will hear the request at the next scheduled meeting. Service will be restored after a temporary repair is completed. If permanent repairs aren’t made within the timeframe set by the District a shutoff notice will be sent, and water service terminated 10 days after the shutoff notification is sent.

e. Molesting PIWD property or seals on appliances.

f. Abandonment.

g. Nonpayment of bills when due.

h. Cross connecting the PIWD service pipe with any other supply source, such as wells.

i. Refusal of reasonable access to property. (adopted 12/13/08 as Section"F")

3. The PIWD may terminate service to a household in which all residents are sixty-five (65) years of age or older only after the PIWD first notifies the Town of Portsmouth Board of Health.

4. When water has been turned off from any premises for any of the above reasons, or for any other violation of the PIWD’s rules, charges will be made for disconnecting and the restoration of service, to be paid in advance by the party requesting restoration of service. When water has been turned off at the customer’s request for seasonal purposes, charges will be made for disconnecting and restoring service.

5. In case of abandonment of a customer's premise, the customer must notify the PIWD in writing of such vacancy and upon his/her failure to do so, he/she will become responsible for any damage to the property of the PIWD and/or the property of the customer arising from such failure. In the event that the PIWD intends to suspend or terminate service, it shall give thirty (30) days prior written notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Board before suspension or termination. The Board or its designee(s) shall review the situation to determine whether any error has been made or whether a reasonable time for payment should be granted.

The PIWD shall have the right to cut off the water supply to make repairs, changes or connections to its mains and other equipment. It shall use reasonable effort to notify the customer in advance of such discontinuance of service, but it shall not be liable for any damage or inconvenience suffered by the customer because of such discontinuance of service, or because of failure to notify the customer in advance of its intention to discontinue service.

The PIWD shall not be liable for any damage or inconvenience suffered by the customer as a result of interruption of service, quantity of supply, inadequate or changing pressure, quality of water, or any cause beyond its control.

6. The PIWD shall have the right to reserve a sufficient supply of water at all times, in its storage resources, to provide for emergencies, and may restrict or regulate the quantity of water used by its customers in case of scarcity, or whenever the public welfare may require it.

F. Conservation (revised August 28, 2010)

1. When implemented, the PIWD Water Shortage Regulations shall remain in effect until further notice. As described below, each Stage is progressively restricted and implemented to help insure adequate water reserves for the island.

Stage 1 shall be implemented each year to raise awareness of Prudence Island’s limited water resource. Stages 2, 3 and 4 shall be implemented only in more severe circumstances.

Notification to customers of the implementation of All stages of restriction will be posted in at least two public places within the geographic boundaries of the PIWD and on the PIWD web site (www.pih2o.org).

Notification to customers of the implementation of Stage 3, or 4 will be posted and published in the Sakonnet Times, (at the next available publishing date.).

2. The following Stages and conservation measures shall be implemented at the discretion of the Operations Manager and/or the Board.

a. Stage I - Public Awareness: This Stage shall be implemented by the Board annually as an educational tool to remind customers of the limited water resource and methods to conserve water.

b. Stage 2 – Conservation: This Stage restricts the watering of lawns, landscaping, shrubs, trees, flower gardens, use of power washers, and washing of vehicles/boats to Tuesday through Thursday only. All hoses must be equipped with an automatic shutoff device.

Vegetable gardens may be watered any day of the week, and can use sprinklers ONLY IF ATTENDED. Watering hours are early morning (before 9 a.m.) or late evening (after 6 p.m.) only

The use of an ELECTRONIC or MECHANICAL TIMER is PROHIBITED

Filling of ponds, pools, hot tubs etc. (less than 300 gallons) restricted to early morning (before 9 a.m.) or late evening (after 7 p.m.) by permit issued by the PIWD only. Ponds, pools, hot tubs etc. greater than 300 gallons will require tanker truck filling.

c. Stage 3 – Conservation: Watering of lawns, landscaping, shrubs, trees, gardens, use of power washers and washing of vehicles/boats is prohibited. A special permit may be issued by the PIWD to allow for watering of newly planted lawns and shrubs or trees for a limited time.

Vegetable gardens may be watered Tuesday through Thursday only.
Watering hours are early morning (before 9 a.m.) or late evening (after 6p.m.) only. A limited number of special permits may be issued for weekend vegetable garden watering on a case by case basis, by the PIWD Operations Manager or the Board. Watering hours are early morning (before 9 a.m.) or late evening (after 6 p.m.) only. Permitted watering shall be by hand held hose or container only. All hoses must be equipped with an automatic shutoff device.

The use of subsurface, soaker hose or sprinkler is PROHIBITED

The use of an ELECTRONIC or MECHANICAL TIMER is PROHIBITED

Filling of ponds, pools, hot tubs and similar equipment shall not be permitted under any circumstances.
   
d. Stage 4 - Severe Conservation: Watering of lawns, landscaping, shrubs or trees, gardens (including vegetable gardens) and vehicles/boats prohibited. Filling of ponds, pools, hot tubs and similar equipment shall not be permitted under any circumstances.

3. Fines for failure to comply conservation restrictions shall be set annually.

a. First Offense: Verbal warning, followed by a written reminder.

b. Second Offense: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges)

c. Third Offense: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges) and outside taps locked. The customer shall pay for the cost of locks. The locks will be removed after 30 days or after Stage 2 restrictions are lifted.

d. Fourth Offense: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges) and water shutoff. The customer’s water shall be turned on only after a hearing before the Board or in the event that Stage 2 restrictions are lifted

4. Stage 4 noncompliance: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges) and water shutoff. The customer’s water shall be turned on only after a hearing or after Stage 2 restrictions are lifted.

5. Fines for Filling of Pools, Ponds, Hot tubs etc.

a. Stage 2 noncompliance: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges) plus $1.00 per gallon

b. Stage 3 noncompliance: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges) plus $1.00 per gallon and water shutoff. Water to be turned on only after a hearing before the Board or after Stage 3 restrictions are lifted.

c. Stage 4 noncompliance: Fine imposed (see list of rates and charges) plus $1.00 per gallon and water shutoff. Water to be turned on only after a hearing before the Board or stage 4 restrictions are lifted.

The following table describes the drought indicators that are used to determine the Conservation levels. The indicators are for seasonally adjusted norms. Either indicator meeting the criteria could be enough to trigger a conservation stage if other factors indicate a dry period ahead. These factors would include stream flow, foliage cover, pumping records and seasonal forecasts.

Section I ­ Administrative
1. The PIWD will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, national origin or country of ancestral origin. The PIWD will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, national origin or country of ancestral origin. Such action shall include, but not be limited, to the following: employment, promotion, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; selection for training, including apprenticeship; and, all other terms, benefits and conditions of employment. The PIWD will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the contractor, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, national origin or country of ancestral origin. (7/9/05)

2. No agent or employee of the PIWD shall have the right or authority to bind it to any promise, agreement or representation contrary to the letter or intent of these by-laws. (11/12/05)

3. Indemnification: The PIWD shall to the fullest extent permitted by law as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have the power to indemnify under the laws of Rhode Island from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to or covered by the laws of Rhode Island and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any other person may be entitled under any bylaw, rule, regulation, statute, resolution of the Board or other agreement as permitted by Rhode Island laws as to action in any capacity in which he or she served at the request of the PIWD. The personal liability of the members of the Board is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Rhode Island, as the same may be amended or supplemented. (11/12/05)

4. Bylaws: The Board may, at any meeting, adopt and ordain bylaws, and, from time to time, rescind or amend the bylaws, as they deem necessary and proper. (11/12/05)

5. Severability: In the event that any section or subsection of these regulations is held unlawful, then all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect unless it shall be inconsistent with the overall purpose of a section. (11/12/05)

6. Board meetings: At the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after a District election day, the Board will select two persons to be the designate Pro Tempore for the positions of Moderator and Clerk. In the absence of the Moderator and Moderator Pro Tempore, the Clerk or Clerk Pro Tempore will assign a member to be the Moderator Pro Tempore. In the absence of the Clerk and the Clerk Pro Tempore the Moderator or Moderator Pro Tempore will assign a member to be the Clerk Pro Tempore. (11/12/05)

7. Moderator: The Moderator shall preside over the meeting, decide all questions of order and procedure according to Roberts Rules of Order, and announce the results of all votes. In the absence of the Treasurer the Moderator may countersign checks, which are in excess of $500.00. (11/12/05)

8. Moderator Pro Tempore: In case of the absence of the Moderator from any elective meeting of the district Moderator Pro Tempore will act as presiding officer. (11/12/05)

9. Clerk: The Clerk shall find a suitable place within the district for the holding of meetings, and will give notice of meetings. The Clerk shall keep full, fair and accurate records for all meetings and correspondence of the PIWD. He/she shall carefully keep and preserve all records entrusted to his/her care. He/she will sign all checks, debt cards and credit cards. Checks which are in excess of $500.00 shall be countersigned by either the Treasurer or Moderator. (11/12/05)

10. Clerk Pro Tempore: In case of the absence of the Clerk from any elective meeting of the PIWD, the Clerk Pro Tempore shall perform all the duties pertaining to that position. (11/12/05)

11. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all money from the PIWD Collector of Taxes, rates, and fees, and from the sale of bonds and other sources of revenue, and shall promptly deposit said moneys in a bank designated by the Board in the name of and to credit of the PIWD. Whenever there is a surplus of district funds not needed for the payment of the PIWD expenses during the current year the Treasurer, with the consent and approval of the Board, and subject to the provision of any resolution securing bonds of the PIWD, may invest the said surplus funds in some safe and productive securities where the said funds shall be available for use whenever called for by a vote of the Board. In the absence of the Clerk, the Treasurer may sign all checks, debit cards and credit cards. The Treasurer will countersign checks, which are in excess of $500.00. The Treasurer shall sign all notes and bonds issued by the PIWD and shall cause the seal for the PIWD to be affixed thereto. He/She shall close his/her books on the 30th of September in each year and make annually to the Board a written report of the condition of the PIWD treasury and the several sums received and paid by him/her during the previous year, and showing in detail the persons to whom and for what purposes the payments were made. (11/12/05)

12. Assistant Treasurer: In the absence of the Treasurer the Clerk may perform such duties as are incumbent upon the Treasurer, or as the Board sees fit it may appoint an Assistant Treasurer, and such Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as are incumbent upon the Treasurer as the Board may delegate to him/her. (11/12/05)

13. Assessor of Taxes: The Assessor of Taxes shall levy and assess taxes at such rate as the Board shall determine, on all ratable real estate and tangible personal property of the PIWD. The Assessor of Taxes also shall be a member of the board of canvassers, as provided for in the Charter of the PIWD, and canvass the voting of the district on the third Saturday of May in every year and shall make out a correct alphabetic list of the electors of the district, and shall certify the correctness of the list and file it with the clerk. (11/12/05)

14. Collector of Taxes: The Collector of Taxes shall collect and pay the Treasurer, in accordance with these by-laws, all taxes rates and fees levied and assessed and the interest collected on same, and shall report annually to the Board the amounts collected and uncollected and unpaid interest together with the names of all persons against whom or against whose property a tax has been levied and remains unpaid. The Collector of Taxes also shall be a member of the board of canvassers, as provided by the Charter of the PIWD, and canvass the voting of the district on the third Saturday of May in every year and shall make out a correct alphabetic list of the electors of the district, and shall certify the correctness of the list and file it with the Clerk. (11/12/05)

15. Assistant Collector of Taxes: The Board may appoint an Assistant Collector of Taxes, and such Assistant Collector of Taxes shall have such powers and perform such duties as are incumbent upon the Collector of Taxes as the Board may delegate to him. (11/12/05)

16. Bonding: All Board members, Treasurer, Collector and Assessor will be bonded. A bond for each such individual in an amount to be determined and approved by the Board, and the bond premium shall be paid by the PIWD. (11/12/05)

17. Vacancies: Any vacancy that may occur shall be filled by the remaining members of the Board until the next annual election at which time a successor shall be elected for the unexpired term, but the Board may continue to act despite a vacancy or vacancies on the Board. (11/12/05)

18. Committees: The Board may, at any meeting, appoint such committees as the Board may deem necessary. (11/12/05)

19. Compensation:

a. Compensation of Agents, Employees and Committees. The Board may, at any meeting, fix the compensation of all agents, employees and committees of the PIWD.

b. Compensation of Officers. The Board may, at any regularly called meeting, fix the compensation of Board members provided however that any compensation (or increase thereof) for any Board position shall require at least seven (7) qualified electors present and a majority vote of these electors present at said meeting.

(11/12/05)

20. Emergency Meetings: The Board may call an Emergency meeting provided that there is a minimum of 48 hours notice. (11/12/05)

21. Procedure for Hiring Contractors:

a. Any work in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or as required for acceptance of funding will be put out for competitive bid.

b. All bids will be reviewed by the Board (or committee assigned by the Board), and the top three (3) candidates (as determined by the Board or Committee) may be asked, at the Board’s discretion, to make a presentation to the Board for informational purposes.

c. A vote to determine the winning bid will only take place after a discussion period and review of all contracts.

d. Work that is more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) but less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) will be put out to an advertised Request for Proposal for the work to be done. The top three (3) proposals (as determined by the Board or Committee) may be asked, at the Board’s discretion, to make a presentation to the Board for informational purposes. A vote to determine the best proposal will only take place after a discussion period and review of all proposals.

e. Work that is more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) but less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) will require a minimum of three quotes. Although three quotes shall be considered the minimum, the Board may in some instances declare the existence of fewer quotes to be considered adequate if there is a lack of quotes available. Consultation with outside sources (other water districts, water associations etc.) would aid in this process. This determination shall be made in writing and placed in the file.

f. Work that is less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) will be awarded by the Board, Committee or person(s) asked by the Board to perform such tasks in the course of normal business. Although multiple quotes shall not be required every effort should be made to obtain the most competitive price.

g. Two Exceptions to the Bid, Request for Proposal, and Quote procedures would be the following:

(1) In the case of an emergency where work or repairs would be needed to prevent damage or stop further damage.

(2) In the case where there is a Master Government Purchasing Agreement in place. The PIWD shall have the option to make purchases under such a Master Government purchasing Agreement.

(Revised 5/14/11)

22. Procedure for Purchases:

a. Any purchase in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or as required for acceptance of funding will be put out to bid.

b. Competitive bids shall be obtained from a sufficient number of suppliers to be considered representative of the industry cited. Although three bids shall be considered the minimum, the Board may in some instances declare the existence of fewer bids to be considered to provide adequate price competition. Consultation with outside sources (other water districts, water associations etc.)would aid in this process... This determination shall be made in writing and placed in the bid file.

c. All bids will be reviewed by the Board (or committee assigned by the Board), and a vote to determine the best supplier will only take place after a discussion period and review of all pertinent information.

d. Purchases that are more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) but less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) will require three quotes. The Board (or committee assigned by the Board), will review the top three (3) suppliers (as determined by the Board or Committee) and a vote to determine the best supplier will only take place after a discussion period and review of all pertinent information. The Board may in some instances declare the existence of fewer quotes to be considered to provide adequate price competition. Consultation with outside sources (other water districts, water associations etc.)would aid in this process. This determination shall be made in writing and placed in the purchasing file.

e. Purchases that are less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) will be awarded by the Board, Committee or person(s) asked by the Board to perform such tasks in the course of normal business. Although multiple quotes shall not be required every effort should be made to obtain the items at the most competitive price.

f. Two Exceptions to the Bid, Request for Proposal, and Quote procedures would be the following:

(1) In the case of an emergency where work or repairs would be needed to prevent damage or stop further damage.

(2) In the case where there is a Master Government Purchasing Agreement in place. The PIWD shall have the option to make purchases under such a Master Government purchasing Agreement

(Revised 5/14/11)

J. GENERAL

1. No customer, unless specially authorized to do so, shall open or close any of the PIWD's stopcocks or valves in any public or private line.

2. No agent or employee of the PIWD shall have the right or authority to bind it by any promise, agreement or representation, contrary to the letter or intent of these by-laws.

3. In the interest of public health, the PIWD shall not permit its mains or services to be connected on any premises with any service pipe or piping that is connected with any other source of water supply. The PIWD also shall not permit its mains or service pipes to be connected in any way to any piping, tank, vat or other apparatus that contains liquids, chemicals, or any other matter that may flow back into the PIWD's service pipe or mains, and consequently endanger the water supply.