The utility may not disconnect service to the user:
a. Upon the user’s failure to pay for merchandise or appliances purchased from the utility;
b. Upon the user’s failure to pay for the service rendered at a different metering point, residence, or location if such bill has remained unpaid for less than forty-five (45) days;
c. Upon the user’s failure to pay for services to a previous occupant of premises to be served, unless the utility has good reason to believe the user is attempting to defraud the utility by using another name;
d. Upon the user’s failure to pay for a different form or class of utility service; or
e. If the user shows cause for his/her inability to pay the full amount due (financial hardship shall constitute cause), and said user
(i) pays a reasonable portion (as determined by the clerk-treasurer of the town) of the bill;
(ii) agrees to pay the remainder of the outstanding bill within three (3) months;
(iii) agrees to pay all undisputed future bills for service as they become due; and
(iv) has not breached any similar agreement with the utility made pursuant to this rule within the past twelve months.
Provided, however, that the utility may add to the outstanding bill a late payment charge as provided in Section 13.20.010(f) of the Code. Provided further, that the above terms of the agreement shall be put in writing by the utility and signed by the user and by the utility clerk or clerk-treasurer of the town. Only one late payment charge may be made to the user under this section.
f. If a user is unable to pay a bill, which is unusually large due to prior incorrect reading of the meter, incorrect application of the rate schedule, incorrect connection or functioning of the meter, prior estimates where no actual reading was taken for over two (2) months, stopped or slowed meter, or any human or mechanical error of the utility, and the user:
(i) pays a reasonable portion of the bill, not to exceed an amount equal to the user’s average bill for the twelve (12) bills immediately preceding the bill in question;
(ii) agrees to pay the remainder at a reasonable rate, and
(iii) agrees to pay all undisputed future bills for service as they become due; provided, however, that the utility may not add to the outstanding bill any late fee. Provided, further, that the above terms of agreement shall be put in writing by the utility and signed by the user and the utility clerk or the clerk-treasurer of the town.