7-3-4443. Utility connections. (1) The director of public service shall have authority to compel the making of sewer, water, gas, and other connections whenever, in view of the contemplated street improvements or as a sanitary regulation, sewer, water, gas, or other connections should in his judgment be constructed.
     (2) He shall cause written notice of his determination thereof to be given to the owner of each lot or parcel of land to which such connections are to be made. The notice shall state the number and character of connections required. Such notice shall be served by a person designated by the director of public service, in the manner provided for the service of summons in civil actions. Nonresidents of the municipality or persons who cannot be found may be served by one publication of such notice in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the municipality if such there be and, if not, by one publication in a weekly newspaper. The notice shall state the time within which such connections shall be constructed, and if they be not constructed within the time, the work may be done by the municipality and the cost thereof, together with a penalty of 5%, assessed against the lots and lands for which such connections are made; provided that the city commission may in its discretion order and direct that the cost of making any such connection by the municipality may be assessed without penalty and may be paid in annual installments over a period of not to exceed 8 years, together with interest thereon not to exceed 6% per annum payable annually on the deferred payments. Said assessments shall be certified and collected as other assessments for street improvements. The actual work of making such connections shall be done under such regulations as are provided for by ordinance.

     History: En. Sec. 88, Ch. 152, L. 1917; re-en. Sec. 5486, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 5486, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 45, L. 1939; R.C.M. 1947, 11-3302.