CHAPTER 105*
FIRE, SEWER AND OTHER DISTRICTS

      Sec. 7-324. Definition. Continuation of former districts. For the purposes of sections 7-324 to 7-329, inclusive, "district" means any fire district, sewer district, fire and sewer district, lighting district, village, beach or improvement association and any other district or association, except a school district, wholly within a town and having the power to make appropriations or to levy taxes. All districts established prior to May 29, 1957, under the provisions of the general statutes or by special act shall be continued; provided any such district may be dissolved or consolidated with the government of any town, city or borough of which it is a part in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes or may, by a two-thirds vote of those voters present at a district meeting, elect to be governed by the provisions of sections 7-324 to 7-329, inclusive, in lieu of the provisions of any general or special act under which such district was established or operated. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of sections 7-324 to 7-329, inclusive, a district established prior to May 29, 1957, and electing to be governed by said sections shall not be required to adopt the form of organization provided for in said sections but may continue its existing form of organization and nevertheless have and exercise the powers and duties granted to districts in said sections and in such event the officers of such district shall have and may exercise the powers and duties granted to district officers in said sections.

      (1957, P.A. 465, S. 17(a); September, 1957, P.A. 6, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 595.)

      History: 1959 act added provision permitting continuance of existing organization but adoption of home rule act re powers and duties.

      Cited. 155 C. 577. Cited. 179 C. 589.

      Fire districts established prior to May 29, 1957, may be consolidated in accordance with sections 7-195 to 7-201. 28 CS 413.

      Sec. 7-325. Organization. Boundary changes. Reports. (a) Upon the petition of fifteen or more voters, as defined by section 7-6, of any town, specifying the limits of a proposed district for any or all of the purposes set forth in section 7-326, the selectmen of such town shall call a meeting of the voters residing within such specified limits to act upon such petition, which meeting shall be held at such place within such town and such hour as the selectmen designate, within thirty days after such petition has been received by such selectmen. Such limits shall contain only contiguous property, except any proposed district which is proposed to be established only to plan, lay out, acquire, construct, reconstruct, repair, maintain, operate and regulate the use of a community water system or to construct and maintain drains and sewers or both and which does not exercise any of the other powers enumerated in section 7-326, may contain noncontiguous properties if the properties proposed to be included are, or are to be, served by a common water or sewer main. Such meeting shall be called by publication of a written notice of the same, signed by the selectmen, at least fourteen days before the time fixed for such meeting in two successive issues of some newspaper published or circulated in such town. Not later than twenty-four hours before such meeting, (1) two hundred or more voters or ten per cent of the total number of voters, whichever is less, may petition the selectmen in writing for a referendum, or (2) the selectmen in their discretion may order a referendum, on the sole question of whether the proposed district should be established. Any such referendum shall be held not less than seven nor more than fourteen days after the receipt of such petition or the date of such order, on a day to be set by the selectmen for a vote by paper ballots or by a "yes" or "no" vote on the voting machines, during the hours between twelve o'clock noon and eight o'clock p.m.; except that any town may, by vote of its selectmen, provide for an earlier hour for opening the polls but not earlier than six o'clock a.m., notwithstanding the provisions of any special act to the contrary. If two-thirds of the voters casting votes in such referendum vote in favor of establishing the proposed district, the selectmen shall reconvene such meeting not later than seven days after the day on which the referendum is held. Upon approval of the petition for the proposed district by two-thirds of the voters present at such meeting, or if a referendum is held, upon the reconvening of such meeting after the referendum, the voters may name the district and, upon the vote of a majority of such voters, choose necessary officers therefor to hold office until the first annual meeting thereof; and the district shall, upon the filing of the first report required pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, thereupon be a body corporate and politic and have the powers, not inconsistent with the general statutes, in relation to the objects for which it was established, that are necessary for the accomplishment of such objects, including the power to lay and collect taxes. The clerk of such district shall cause its name and a description of its territorial limits and of any additions that may be made thereto to be recorded in the land records of each town in which such district is located.

      (b) Any district may enlarge or reduce its territorial limits if the board of directors of the district approves a resolution proposing such an enlargement or reduction and stating the proposed boundaries of the area proposed to be included or excluded, as the case may be, provided: (1) The board of directors of the district shall call a meeting of voters of the area proposed to be included or excluded, which meeting shall be held within thirty days of the board of directors' approval of such resolution and shall be called by publication of a written notice of the same, signed by the members of the board of directors of the district, at least fourteen days before the time fixed for such meeting in two successive issues of some newspaper published or circulated in such town, provided not later than twenty-four hours before any such meeting, two hundred or more such voters or ten per cent of the total number of such voters, whichever is less, may petition the clerk of the district, in writing, that a referendum on the question of whether the area proposed to be included or excluded should join or leave the district be held in the manner provided in section 7-327; (2) a two-thirds majority of the voters of the area proposed to be included or excluded in attendance at such meeting, or, if a referendum is held, two-thirds of such voters casting votes in such referendum, vote in favor of joining or leaving such district; (3) that any area to be added is contiguous with some portion of the existing district, and (4) if the enlargement of the territorial limits of the district will overlap the territorial limits of another district within the town, the legislative body of the town approves such enlargement. If any district enlarges or reduces its territorial limits, the clerk of such district shall notify the town clerk of each town affected by such enlargement or reduction within thirty days after the vote.

      (c) The clerk of each district created pursuant to this chapter or any provisions of the general statutes or any special act, shall report to the town clerk of each town in which such district is located: (1) If created by approval of a petition pursuant to subsection (a) of this section on or after July 1, 1987, within seven days of such approval; and (2) on or before July 31, 1993, and annually thereafter for each such district, irrespective of the date of creation. The first report filed after the creation of a district shall include a list of the officers of such district, a copy of the charter or special act of such district and such other information on the organization and the financial status of such district as the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may recommend. A copy of the charter or special act of such district shall be included in any subsequent report if such charter or special act was amended after the date of the previous filing. No district, irrespective of the date of creation, created by approval of a petition pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall exist as a body corporate and politic until the clerk of such district has filed at least one report required by this subsection. If a district is located in more than one town, the report shall be filed by the district clerk with the town clerk of each town in which the district is located.

      (d) Any fine imposed on and after July 1, 1992, on a clerk for failure to file a report required pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be waived.

      (1949 Rev., S. 764; 1955, S. 340d; 1957, P.A. 465, S. 17(b); P.A. 82-213, S. 1; P.A. 83-209; 83-502, S. 2, 4; P.A. 84-318, S. 1, 4; P.A. 85-613, S. 19, 154; P.A. 87-573, S. 1, 11; P.A. 88-250, S. 1, 5; 88-306, S. 2; P.A. 89-370, S. 6, 15; P.A. 93-434, S. 1, 20; P.A. 95-51.)

      History: P.A. 82-213 added Subsec. (b) concerning changes in the boundaries of the district; P.A. 83-209 provided that all districts, other than those furnishing water or sewer service, must contain only contiguous property; P.A. 83-502 required a two-thirds vote for creation or expansion of a district and a majority vote for selection of officers; P.A. 84-318 added provisions requiring reports to the secretary of the office of policy and management and removed the requirement of posting of notices; P.A. 85-613 made technical change, substituting reference to chapter 105, i.e. "this chapter", for reference to chapter 125 in Subsec. (c); P.A. 87-573 inserted provisions requiring first report for districts created on or after July 1, 1987 and providing that districts which have not filed any reports shall not exist as a body corporate and politic and inserted Subsec. (d) providing a penalty for a clerk who fails to file a report on a timely basis; P.A. 88-250 changed July 31, 1987 to July 31, 1988 in Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (c); P.A. 88-306 amended Subsec. (a) to repeal requirements that petitioning voters not reside within territorial limits of any city or borough in the town and that district's limits not include any part of any such city or borough; P.A. 89-370 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize holding of referendum, establish procedures for referendum and require map showing boundaries of district, amended Subsec. (b) to authorize petition of referendum in Subdiv. (1) and to add Subdiv. (4) re approval of legislative body and amended Subsec. (c) to authorize secretary to require information on district's financial status; P.A. 93-434 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re reporting to secretary within thirty days of an election of officer, amended Subsec. (b) to require districts to notify the town clerks of affected towns instead of the secretary of change in territorial limits, amended Subsec. (c) to require that reports be filed with town clerk in which each town of the district is located, rather than with secretary and amended Subsec. (d) to eliminate the fine for failure to file reports and to waive fines imposed on and after July 1, 1992, effective June 30, 1993; P.A. 95-51 amended Subsec. (a) to reduce the number of voters required on a petition to vote to establish a district from twenty to fifteen.

      See note to section 12-198. Cited. 122 C. 395. District must be a self-contained area. 145 C. 570. Only voters residing within area of proposed district may vote at organizational meeting. 184 C. 200. Cited. 197 C. 82. Cited. 205 C. 290. Cited. 208 C. 543. Cited. 218 C. 144.

      Sec. 7-326. Purposes. At such meeting, the voters may establish a district for any or all of the following purposes: To extinguish fires, to light streets, to plant and care for shade and ornamental trees, to construct and maintain roads, sidewalks, crosswalks, drains and sewers, to appoint and employ watchmen or police officers, to acquire, construct, maintain and regulate the use of recreational facilities, to plan, lay out, acquire, construct, reconstruct, repair, maintain, supervise and manage a flood or erosion control system, to plan, lay out, acquire, construct, maintain, operate and regulate the use of a community water system, to collect garbage, ashes and all other refuse matter in any portion of such district and provide for the disposal of such matter, to implement tick control measures, to install highway sound barriers, to establish a zoning commission and a zoning board of appeals or a planning commission, or both, by adoption of chapter 124 or chapter 126, excluding section 8-29, or both chapters, as the case may be, which commissions or board shall be dissolved upon adoption by the town of subdivision or zoning regulations by the town planning or zoning commission; and to adopt building regulations, which regulations shall be superseded upon adoption by the town of building regulations. Any district may contract with a town, city, borough or other district for carrying out any of the purposes for which such district was established.

      (1949 Rev., S. 765; 1955, S. 341d; 1957, P.A. 465, S. 17(c); 1959, P.A. 577, S. 3; P.A. 78-145; P.A. 81-319, S. 5, 6; P.A. 89-356, S. 4; P.A. 05-106, S. 1; 05-289, S. 1.)

      History: 1959 act substituted provisions re establishment of zoning commission and board of appeals or planning commission and adoption of building regulations for power to "adopt and enforce subdivision, zoning and building regulations"; P.A. 78-145 included districts for planning, constructing, etc. of community water systems; P.A. 81-319 added the provision that a district may be established to "acquire" recreational facilities; P.A. 89-356 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 8-30; P.A. 05-106 added provision that a district may be established to implement tick control measures, effective June 7, 2005; P.A. 05-289 added provision that a district may be established to install highway sound barriers.

      Fire district may lay taxes to accomplish object of its organization. 92 C. 674. See note to section 12-198. Cited. 122 C. 395. Actually district is body politic within confines of larger municipal corporation. 145 C. 570. Cited. 208 C. 543. Cited. 218 C. 144.

      Cited. 35 CA 795.

      Special act is not affected by general statute unless intent to repeal or alter it is clearly manifest and this section does not repeal prior special acts establishing two fire districts in Watertown. 28 CS 413.

      Sec. 7-327. Meetings and referenda. Officers. Fiscal year. (a) At the meeting called for the purpose of establishing a district, as provided in section 7-325, the voters shall, by ordinance, fix the date of the annual meeting of the voters for the election of district officers and transaction of such other business as may properly come before such annual meeting. At the organization meeting of the district, the voters shall elect from their number a president, vice president, five directors, a clerk and a treasurer to serve until the first annual meeting for the election of officers and thereafter such officers shall be elected annually. Not fewer than fifteen voters of the district shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the organization meeting of the district; and if fifteen voters are not present at such meeting, the selectmen may adjourn such meeting from time to time, until at least fifteen voters are present. Special meetings of the district may be called on the application of ten per cent of the total number of persons qualified to vote in the meeting of a district or twenty of the voters of such district, whichever is less, or by the president or any three directors upon giving notice as hereinafter provided. Any special meeting called on the application of the voters shall be held within twenty-one days after receiving such application. Notice of the holding of the annual meeting and all special meetings shall be given by publication of a notice of such meetings in a newspaper having a general circulation in such district at least ten days before the day of such meetings, signed by the president or any three directors, which notice shall designate the time and place of such meetings and the business to be transacted thereat. Two hundred or more persons or ten per cent of the total number of persons qualified to vote in the meeting of a district, whichever is less, may petition the clerk of such district, in writing, at least twenty-four hours prior to any such meeting, requesting that any item or items on the call of such meeting be submitted to the persons qualified to vote in such meeting not less than seven nor more than fourteen days thereafter, on a day to be set by the district meeting or, if the district meeting does not set a date, by the board of directors, for a vote by paper ballots or by a "yes" or "no" vote on the voting machines, during the hours between twelve o'clock noon and eight o'clock p.m., except that any district may, by vote of its board of directors, provide for an earlier hour for opening the polls but not earlier than six o'clock a.m. The paper ballots or voting machine ballot labels, as the case may be, shall be provided by the clerk. When such a petition has been filed with the clerk, the president, after completion of other business and after reasonable discussion shall adjourn such meeting and order such vote on such item or items in accordance with the petition; and any item so voted may be rescinded in the same manner. The clerk shall phrase such item or items in a form suitable for printing on such paper ballots or ballot labels. Not fewer than fifteen voters of the district shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the district; and if fifteen voters are not present at such meeting, the president of the district or, in his absence, the vice president may adjourn such meeting from time to time, until at least fifteen voters are present; and all meetings of the district where a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by a vote of a majority of the voters voting on the question. At any annual or special meeting, the voters may, by a majority vote of those present, discontinue any purposes for which the district is established or undertake any additional purpose or purposes enumerated in section 7-326.

      (b) The president of the district shall be the chief executive officer thereof and shall be a member of the board of directors. He shall preside at all meetings of the voters of the district and at all meetings of the directors, and at all meetings where he presides he shall vote to dissolve a tie when necessary. He shall designate the duties devolving upon each of the five directors, shall approve all bills for payment by the treasurer and shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees and boards of the district. The vice president shall be a member of the board of directors, and shall have all the authority, power and duties of the president whenever the president vacates his office, is absent or from any cause is unable to perform his duties. The clerk shall be a member of the board of directors, shall keep a record of the minutes of all meetings of the voters and of the board of directors and shall keep at all times a list of the voters of the district. The treasurer shall have charge of the collection and payment of all moneys of the district, under such rules and regulations as shall be prescribed by the board of directors, and shall prepare the annual budget, which shall be reviewed by the board of directors and transmitted with the board's comments and recommendations to the annual budget meeting of the district for adoption.

      (c) The fiscal year of the district shall begin on July first and shall end the following June thirtieth. Annually, not less than thirty days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, there shall be a meeting of the voters of the district for the purpose of adopting the annual budget, laying the tax and fixing the tax rate.

      (d) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any special act to the contrary, a district may, at its annual meeting or at a special meeting called in accordance with the provisions of this section, (1) increase the membership of the board of directors of the district to nine members, three of whom may be elected each year to three-year terms, and in such case, require the officers of the district to be chosen from among the members of the board or (2) provide for one member of the board of directors of the district to serve as both clerk and treasurer of the district.

      (1949 Rev., S. 767; 1957, P.A. 465, S. 17 (d)-(f); September, 1957, P.A. 6, S. 2; P.A. 82-213, S. 2; P.A. 84-318, S. 2, 4; P.A. 89-370, S. 7, 15; P.A. 91-407, S. 37, 42.)

      History: P.A. 82-213 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for the ability of voters to petition for a meeting or for a referendum; P.A. 84-318 replaced requirement of posting of notices with requirement for publication of notices and clarified that districts must use a uniform fiscal year in accordance with chapter 110; P.A. 89-370 amended Subsec. (a) to establish quorum requirement; P.A. 91-407 added Subsec. (d) permitting district to (1) increase membership of board of directors to nine members, three of whom to be elected each year for three-year terms and require officers to be chosen from among members of board or (2) provide one member to serve as both clerk and treasurer.

      Kinds of property taxable, and manner of reaching assessment value, are same as in case of school district. 92 C. 674. See note to section 12-198. Cited. 122 C. 402.

      Sec. 7-327a. Petition for vote. Form. Statement by and qualification of circulator. In any case in which an action for a vote by the voters of a district is to be initiated by the petition of such voters, in addition to such other requirements as the general statutes or any special act may impose, such petition shall be on a form prescribed or approved by the clerk of such district, and each page of such petition shall contain a statement, signed under penalties of false statement, by the person who circulated the same, setting forth such circulator's name and address, and stating that each person whose name appears on said page signed the same in person in the presence of such circulator, that the circulator either knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified himself to the circulator and that all the signatures on said page were obtained not earlier than six months prior to the filing of said petition. Any page of a petition which does not contain such a statement by the circulator shall be invalid. Any circulator who makes a false statement in the statement hereinbefore provided shall be subject to the penalty provided for false statement. No petition shall be valid for any action for a vote by the voters at any regular or special district meeting unless such petition shall be circulated by a person resident or eligible to vote in such district.

      (P.A. 82-213, S. 3.)

      Sec. 7-328. Taxation. Bonds. (a) The territorial limits of the district shall constitute a separate taxing district, and the assessor or assessors of the town shall separate the property within the district from the other property in the town and shall annually furnish the clerk of the district with a copy of the grand list of all property in the district after it has been completed by the board of assessment appeals of the town. If the legislative body of the town elects, pursuant to section 12-62c, to defer all or any part of the amount of the increase in the assessed value of real property in the year a revaluation becomes effective and in any succeeding year in which such deferment is allowed, the grand list furnished to the clerk of the district for each such year shall reflect assessments based upon such deferment. When the district meeting has fixed the tax rate, the clerk shall prepare a rate bill, apportioning to each owner of property his proportionate share of the taxes, which rate bill, when prepared, shall be delivered to the treasurer; and the district and the treasurer thereof shall have the same powers as towns and collectors of taxes to collect and enforce payment of such taxes, and such taxes when laid shall be a lien upon the property in the same manner as town taxes, and such liens may be continued by certificates recorded in the land record office of the town, and foreclosed in the same manner as liens for town taxes. The assessor or board of assessment appeals shall promptly forward to the clerk of the district any certificate of correction or notice of any other lawful change to the grand list of the district. The district clerk shall, within ten days of receipt of any such certificate or notice, forward a copy thereof to the treasurer, and the assessment of the property for which such certificate or notice was issued and the rate bill related thereto shall be corrected accordingly. If the district constructs any drain, sewer, sidewalk, curb or gutter, such proportion of the cost thereof as such district determines may be assessed by the board of directors, in the manner prescribed by such district, upon the property specially benefited by such drain, sewer, sidewalk, curb or gutter, and the balance of such costs shall be paid from the general funds of the district. In the construction of any flood or erosion control system, the cost to such district may be assessed and shall be payable in accordance with sections 25-87 to 25-93, inclusive. Subject to the provisions of the general statutes, the district may issue bonds and the board of directors may pledge the credit of the district for any money borrowed for the construction of any public works or the acquisition of recreational facilities authorized by sections 7-324 to 7-329, inclusive, and such board shall keep a record of all notes, bonds and certificates of indebtedness issued, disposed of or pledged by the district. All moneys received by the directors on behalf of the district shall be paid to the treasurer. No contract or obligation which involves an expenditure in the amount of (1) ten thousand dollars or more in districts where the grand list is less than or equal to twenty million dollars, or (2) twenty thousand dollars or more in districts where the grand list is greater than twenty million dollars, in any one year shall be made by the board of directors, unless the same is specially authorized by a vote of the district, nor shall the directors borrow money without like authority. The clerk of the district shall give written notice to the treasurer of the town in which the district is located of any final decision of the board of directors to borrow money, not later than thirty days after the date of such decision. The district may adopt ordinances, with penalties to secure their enforcement, for the purpose of regulating the carrying out of the provisions of sections 7-324 to 7-329, inclusive, and defining the duties and compensation of its officers and the manner in which their duties shall be carried out.

      (b) Upon the request of the clerk of any district, the registrar of voters and the assessor of the town in which the district is located shall provide a list of voters of the district.

      (1949 Rev., S. 769; 1955, S. 343d; 1957, P.A. 465, S. 17(g); P.A. 81-152; P.A. 85-543, S. 4, 7; P.A. 89-370, S. 8, 15; P.A. 90-23, S. 1, 3; P.A. 95-283, S. 25, 68; P.A. 96-171, S. 1, 16; P.A. 06-148, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 81-152 increased limit on contracts entered into without vote from five hundred to two thousand dollars; P.A. 85-543 included the acquisition of recreational facilities in the possible uses of funds borrowed through the issuance of bonds; P.A. 89-370 designated existing provisions Subsec. (a), increased amount of annual expenditure which requires authorization by vote of district from two thousand dollars or more to (1) five thousand dollars or more in districts where grand list is twenty million dollars or less, or (2) ten thousand dollars or more in districts where grand list is greater than twenty million dollars, required written notice to town treasurer re decision of board of directors to borrow money and added Subsec. (b) re list of voters; P.A. 90-23 amended Subsec. (a) by raising the limit on contracts entered into without vote from five thousand to ten thousand dollars in districts where the grand list is less than twenty million dollars and from ten to twenty million dollars in districts where the grand list exceeds twenty million dollars effective April 26, 1990, and applicable to appropriations for the budget in any town for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 1990; P.A. 95-283 amended Subsec. (a) to replace board of tax review with board of assessment appeals, effective July 6, 1995; P.A. 96-171 amended Subsec. (a) to require the assessor to furnish the district clerk with a copy of "the grand list of all property in the district", rather than a copy of "the list", and to add provisions requiring the grand list to reflect assessments based upon any deferment of the increase in the assessed value of real property when the legislative body of the town elects to defer the increase in the year a revaluation becomes effective or in any succeeding year in which such deferment is allowed, requiring the assessor or board of assessment appeals to promptly forward to the district clerk any certificate of correction or notice of any other lawful change to the grand list of the district, requiring the district clerk to forward a copy thereof to the treasurer within ten days and requiring the assessment and rate bill to be corrected accordingly, effective May 31, 1996; P.A. 06-148 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 6, 2006.

      Sec. 7-328a. Home rule action. (a) Any district, as defined by section 7-324, established by special act may, by a two-thirds vote of the voters present at a district meeting, elect to make its charter, including any amendments thereto adopted by special act, subject to amendment by home rule action as hereinafter provided, but no home rule charter amendment shall be adopted which will grant to the district any authority exceeding that granted to districts under this chapter.

      (b) A home rule charter amendment shall be initiated by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the board of directors or other governing body of the district, or by a petition filed with the clerk of the district for submission to the governing body and signed by not less than ten per cent of the voters of the district. Upon the filing of such petition the clerk shall determine its sufficiency by comparing the signatures thereon with the names of the voters of the district and shall certify its sufficiency or insufficiency to the governing body.

      (c) The provisions of sections 7-189, 7-190 and 7-191 shall apply to home rule charter amendments by districts; provided "appointing authority" shall mean the board of directors or other governing body, "electors of the town, city or borough" shall mean voters of a district, "election" shall mean a district meeting, and "town or city clerk" shall mean the district clerk.

      (1963, P.A. 582, S. 1-3.)

      Section does not give a fire district authority to extend its geographical limits. 28 CS 413.

      Sec. 7-328b. District may exempt motor vehicles from property tax. Any district established in accordance with the provisions of this chapter may by vote of its legislative body provide that motor vehicles shall be exempt from any tax levied by such district on the assessed value of personal property.

      (P.A. 79-542, S. 1.)

      Sec. 7-328c. Districts established in 1839. Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act or sections 7-324 to 7-329, inclusive, any district established in 1839 by special act may, by majority of the voters present at the annual meeting or any special meeting of the district called in accordance with the provisions of such special act, provide for the following: (1) An increase in the number of commissioners from three to five, (2) voting by voting machine from six o'clock a.m. to eight o'clock p.m. for an annual or special meeting, and (3) notice, in writing, by a person intending to run for commissioner to the clerk of the city or town in which such district is located of such person's intent to run not later than thirty days prior to such meeting. Such clerk shall publish the names of each such candidate and a description of any issue to be placed on the ballot of such meeting in a newspaper having a general circulation in such city or town, not later than fifteen days prior to such meeting.

      (P.A. 03-256, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 03-256 effective June 26, 2003.

      Sec. 7-329. Termination of district. Whenever the officers of such district vote to terminate its corporate existence and whenever a petition signed by ten per cent of the total number of persons qualified to vote in the meeting of such district or twenty of the voters of such district, whichever is less, applying for a special meeting to vote on the termination of the district is received by the clerk, the clerk shall call a special meeting of the voters residing within such district, the notice of which shall be signed by the officers thereof, by advertising the same in the same manner as is provided in section 7-325. Not later than twenty-four hours before any such meeting, two hundred or more voters or ten per cent of the total number of voters, whichever is less, may petition the clerk of the district, in writing, that a referendum on the question of whether the district should be terminated be held in the manner provided in section 7-327. If, at such meeting, a two-thirds majority of the voters present vote to terminate the corporate existence of the district, or, if a referendum is held, two-thirds of the voters casting votes in such referendum vote to terminate the corporate existence of the district, the officers shall proceed to terminate the affairs of such district. The district shall pay all outstanding indebtedness and turn over the balance of the assets of such district to the town in which the district is located, if the legislative body of the town authorizes such action. No district shall be terminated under this section until all of its outstanding indebtedness is paid unless the legislative body of the town in which the district is located agrees in writing to assume such indebtedness. On completion of the duties of the officers of such district, the clerk shall cause a certificate of the vote of such meeting to be recorded in the land records of the town in which the district is located and the clerk shall notify the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      (1949 Rev., S. 766; 1955, S. 342d; 1957, P.A. 465, S. 17 (h); P.A. 82-213, S. 4; P.A. 83-502, S. 3, 4; P.A. 84-318, S. 3, 4; P.A. 85-613, S. 80, 154; P.A. 89-370, S. 9, 15.)

      History: P.A. 82-213 provided for a petition by the voters on the question of termination and required termination upon simple majority vote rather than two-thirds majority vote; P.A. 83-502 provided that a two-thirds vote would be necessary for termination of a district; P.A. 84-318 removed the requirement of posting of the notice and provided for notification of termination to the secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes; P.A. 89-370 authorized holding of referendum and added provision requiring payment of district's outstanding indebtedness prior to termination unless legislative body agrees to assume such indebtedness.

      Cited. 208 C. 543.

      Sec. 7-329a. Establishment of port district and port authority. Jurisdiction. Any town may, by vote of its legislative body, establish a port district which shall embrace such town. The affairs of any such district shall be administered by a port authority, comprising not fewer than five nor more than seven members. The members of any such authority shall be appointed by the chief executive of the town and shall serve for such term as the legislative body may prescribe and until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Vacancies shall be filled by the chief executive for the unexpired portion of the term. The members of each such board shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses. The jurisdiction of a port authority shall not extend to matters relating to the licensure of pilots, the safe conduct of vessels, the protection of the ports and waters of the state and all other matters set forth in chapter 263 which are under the authority of the Department of Transportation. In addition the jurisdiction of a port authority shall not extend to matters relating to (1) a solid waste facility, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 22a-207, (2) a recycling facility, as defined in subdivision (8) of section 22a-207, (3) the building of a paper mill or a paper recycling facility, or (4) the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority.

      (1967, P.A. 900, S. 1; P.A. 98-240, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 98-240 added jurisdictional limitations of a port authority.

      Sec. 7-329b. Definitions. As used in sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive:

      (1) "District" means a port district established pursuant to section 7-329a, or if any such district is terminated, the entity accorded the powers and duties of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive;

      (2) "Project" means the acquisition, purchase, construction, reconstruction, improvement or extension of a port facility;

      (3) "Port authority" means the Bridgeport Port Authority, the New London Port Authority and the New Haven Port Authority created pursuant to sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, or if any such port authority is terminated, then the successor entity of such port authority accorded the powers and duties of said sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive; and

      (4) "Port facilities" means (A) wharves, docks, piers, vessels, air or bus terminals, railroad tracks or terminals, cold storage and refrigerating plants, warehouses, elevators, freight-handling machinery and such equipment as is used in the handling of freight, passengers and vessels, vehicles, and the establishment and operation of a port and any other works, vessels, vehicles, rolling stock, properties, buildings, structures or other facilities necessary or desirable for commerce and industry or waterfront development within a district or in connection with the development and operation of port facilities, or (B) manufacturing and industrial facilities, recreational and entertainment facilities, residential facilities or other commercial facilities necessary for commerce and industry or waterfront development within a district, and (C) located within or benefiting the district.

      (1967, P.A. 900, S. 2; P.A. 98-240, S. 2; P.A. 01-143, S. 7, 8; P.A. 02-42, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 98-240 redefined "district", "project", "port authority" and amended definition of "port facilities" to include types of commercial facilities located within the geographic boundaries of the district; P.A. 01-143 amended Subdiv. (4)(C) by changing "the geographic boundaries of" to "or benefiting", effective July 6, 2001; P.A. 02-42 redefined "port authority" to include the New Haven Port Authority in Subdiv. (3), effective May 6, 2002.

      Sec. 7-329c. Powers and duties of port authority. With the exception of state or federally owned properties, each port authority shall have power over the survey, development and operation of port facilities in its district as hereinafter specifically set forth, and the coordination of the same with existing or future agencies of transportation with a view to the increase and efficiency of all such facilities and the furtherance of commerce and industry in the district. It shall make a thorough investigation of port conditions in the district and such other places as it may deem proper and shall prepare a comprehensive plan for the development of port facilities in such district. It may lease or acquire office space and equip the same with suitable furniture and supplies for the performance of the work of the authority, and may employ such personnel as may be necessary for such performance. The authority also shall have power to:

      (1) Sue and be sued;

      (2) Have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;

      (3) Confer with any body or official having to do with port and harbor facilities within and without the district, and hold public hearings as to such facilities;

      (4) Confer with railroad, steamship, air, bus, warehouse and other officials in the district with reference to the development of transportation facilities in such district and the coordination of the same;

      (5) Determine upon the location, type, size and construction of requisite port facilities, subject, however, to the approval of any department, commission or official of the United States or the state where federal or state statute or regulation requires it;

      (6) Own, lease, pledge, encumber, erect, construct, improve, rehabilitate, make, equip and maintain port facilities in the district and for any such purpose acquire in the name of the port authority by purchase, grant, gift or condemnation, except as hereinafter limited, real property, including easements therein, lands under water and riparian rights, and hold, improve, develop, mortgage, pledge, exchange, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any such property in such manner as the port authority shall determine;

      (7) Make surveys, maps and plans for, and estimates of the cost of, the development and operation of requisite port facilities and for the coordination of such facilities with existing agencies, both public and private, with the view of increasing the efficiency of all such facilities in the furtherance of commerce and industry in the district;

      (8) Make contracts and leases, loans and execute all instruments necessary or convenient to carry out their duties under the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329f, inclusive, including the lending of proceeds of bonds issued in accordance with subdivision (9) of this section, to owners, lessees or occupants of facilities in the port district;

      (9) Issue bonds within the provisions and limitations of sections 7-329g to 7-329u, inclusive, for the purpose of financing, acquiring, constructing or improving port facilities or for any other authorized purpose of the port authority;

      (10) Fix fees, rates, rentals or other charges for the purpose of all port facilities owned by the port authority and collect such fees, rates, rentals and other charges for such facilities owned by the port authority, which fees, rates, rentals or other charges shall at all times be sufficient to comply fully with all covenants and agreements with the holders of any bonds issued under the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329f, inclusive;

      (11) Operate and maintain all port facilities owned or leased by it; use the revenues therefrom for the corporate purposes of the port authority, and in accordance with any covenants or agreements contained in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of any bonds hereunder;

      (12) Regulate and supervise the construction of all port facilities constructed or installed by any private individual or corporation commenced after October 1, 1967, and regulate the operation of all privately owned port facilities insofar as such operation may adversely affect the flow of transportation or the enforcement of approved plans for the development of port facilities. The power granted by this subdivision shall be subject to the rules, regulations or other directives of any federal or state department, commission or other agency having jurisdiction and such grant of power shall not operate to deprive any person or corporation, private or public, of any property without due process of law;

      (13) Purchase, sell, own, lease, finance, maintain, repair, operate or contract for the operation of vessels, ships, ferries, ferry boats or shipping services for the conveyance of passengers, freight and vehicles in and out of the districts;

      (14) Accept gifts, grants, loans or contributions from the United States, the state or an agency or instrumentality of either of them, or a person or corporation, by conveyance, bequest or otherwise, and expend the proceeds for any purpose of the port authority, and, as necessary, contract with the United States, the state or an agency or instrumentality of either of them, to accept gifts, grants, loans or contributions on such terms and conditions as may be provided by the law authorizing the same;

      (15) Maintain or participate in the maintenance of a staff to promote and develop the movement of commerce through the port district;

      (16) Use the officers, employees, facilities and equipment of the town, with the consent of the town, and pay a proper portion of the compensation or cost;

      (17) Apply for a grant of the privilege of establishing, operating and maintaining a foreign trade zone as permitted pursuant to the federal Foreign-Trade Zone Act of 1934, 19 USC Sections 81a to 81u, inclusive, as from time to time amended.

      (1967, P.A. 900, S. 3; P.A. 98-240, S. 3; P.A. 00-148, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 98-240 excepted state or federally owned property from the power of survey, development and operation by a port authority, amended Subdiv. (6) by allowing a port authority to own, pledge, encumber, improve and rehabilitate port facilities and dispose of such property, amended Subdiv. (8) by authorizing a port authority to loan money, including the proceeds of bonds, amended Subdiv. (9) by allowing a port authority to issue bonds for any authorized purpose and inserted new Subdiv. (13) allowing for the acquisition and disposal of vessels, ships, ferries, ferry boats or shipping services in and out of the districts, renumbering remaining Subdivs. accordingly; P.A. 00-148 added Subdiv. (17) re application for a grant to operate a foreign trade zone.

      Sec. 7-329d. Regulations by port authority. Each port authority may make and enforce any reasonable regulations that it may determine to be necessary for the proper development, maintenance and use of the port facilities, relating to the construction, equipment, repair, maintenance, use and rental of any dock, wharf, slip, bus or air terminal, rail tracks or terminal or warehouse or other port authority owned or leased by any individual or corporation within the port facility and may operate and maintain a foreign trade zone, as permitted pursuant to the federal Foreign-Trade Zone Act of 1934, 19 USC Sections 81a to 81u, inclusive, as from time to time amended.

      (1967, P.A. 900, S. 4; P.A. 98-240, S. 4; P.A. 00-148, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 98-240 changed "authority" to "port authority"; P.A. 00-148 made technical changes and added a provision allowing a port authority to operate a foreign trade zone.

      Sec. 7-329e. Investigations. Each port authority may make any investigation which it may deem necessary to enable it effectually to carry out the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329f, inclusive. The port authority may enter upon any lands as in its judgment may be necessary for the purpose of making surveys and examinations to accomplish any purpose authorized by said sections.

      (1967, P.A. 900, S. 5; P.A. 98-240, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 98-240 changed "authority" to "port authority".

      Sec. 7-329f. Property necessary for development. The port authority may lease or acquire title to real and personal property, may encumber and pledge such property and may condemn real property located within the district which it deems necessary for the development of port facilities in the district, subject to the provisions of section 48-12.

      (1967, P.A. 900, S. 6; P.A. 98-240, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 98-240 changed "authority" to "port authority" and provided power to encumber and pledge real and personal property.

      Sec. 7-329g. Issuance of bonds. (a) The port authority may issue bonds from time to time in its discretion, subject to the approval of the legislative body when required by the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of acquiring, purchasing, constructing, reconstructing, improving or extending any project and acquiring necessary land and equipment therefor. The port authority may issue such types of bonds as it may determine, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, bonds payable as to principal and interest: (1) From its revenues generally; (2) exclusively from the income and revenues of a particular project; or (3) exclusively from the income and revenues of certain designated projects, whether or not they are financed in whole or in part from the proceeds of such bonds. Any such bonds may be additionally secured by a pledge of any grant or contribution from a participating municipality, the state or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, any federal agency or any private corporation, copartnership, association or individual, or a pledge of any income or revenues of the port authority, or a mortgage on any project or other property of the port authority, provided such pledge shall not create any liability on the entity making such grant or contribution beyond the amount of such grant or contribution. Whenever and for as long as any port authority has issued and has outstanding bonds pursuant to sections 7-329a to 7-329f, inclusive, the port authority shall fix, charge and collect rates, rents, fees and other charges in accordance with section 7-329i. Neither the members of the port authority nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of the port authority, and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face, shall not be a debt of the state or any political subdivision thereof, except when the port authority or a participating municipality which in accordance with section 7-329r, has guaranteed payment of principal and of interest on the same, and no person other than the port authority or such a public body shall be liable thereon, nor shall such bonds or obligations be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the port authority or such a participating municipality. Except to the extent and for the purpose therein expressly provided by other laws, such bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any statutory limitation on the indebtedness of any participating municipality. Bonds of the port authority are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose. In anticipation of the sale of such revenue bonds the port authority may issue negotiable bond anticipation notes and may renew the same from time to time, but the maximum maturity of any such note, including renewals thereof, shall not exceed five years from the date of issue of the original note. Such notes shall be paid from any revenues of the port authority available therefor and not otherwise pledged, or from the proceeds of sale of the revenue bonds of the port authority in anticipation of which they were issued. The notes shall be issued in the same manner as the revenue bonds. Such notes and the resolution or resolutions authorizing the same may contain any provisions, conditions or limitations which a bond resolution of the port authority may contain.

      (b) Bonds of the port authority may be issued as serial bonds or as term bonds, or the port authority, in its discretion, may issue bonds of both types. Bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the members of the authority and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, not exceeding fifty years from their respective dates, bear interest at such rate or rates, or have provisions for the manner of determining such rate or rates, payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be executed in such manner, be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, as such resolution or resolutions may provide. The revenue bonds or notes may be sold at public or private sale for such price or prices as the port authority shall determine. Pending preparation of the definitive bonds, the port authority may issue interim receipts or certificates which shall be exchanged for such definitive bonds.

      (c) Any resolution or resolutions authorizing any revenue bonds or any issue of revenue bonds may contain provisions, which shall be a part of the contract with the holders of the revenue bonds to be authorized, as to: (1) Pledging all or any part of the revenues of a project or any revenue-producing contract or contracts made by the port authority with any individual, partnership, corporation or association or other body, public or private, to secure the payment of the revenue bonds or of any particular issue of revenue bonds, subject to such agreements with bondholders as may then exist; (2) the rentals, fees and other charges to be charged, and the amounts to be raised in each year thereby, and the use and disposition of the revenues; (3) the setting aside of reserves or sinking funds or other funds or accounts as the port authority may establish and the regulation and disposition thereof, including requirements that any such funds and accounts be held separate from or not be commingled with other funds of the port authority; (4) limitations on the right of the port authority or its agent to restrict and regulate the use of the project; (5) limitations on the purpose to which the proceeds of sale of any issue of revenue bonds then or thereafter to be issued may be applied and pledging such proceeds to secure the payment of the revenue bonds or any issue of the revenue bonds; (6) limitations on the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, the refunding of outstanding bonds; (7) the procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given; (8) limitations on the amount of moneys derived from the project to be expended for operating, administrative or other expenses of the port authority; (9) defining the acts or omissions to act which shall constitute a default in the duties of the port authority to holders of its obligations and providing the rights and remedies of such holders in the event of a default; (10) the mortgaging of a project and the site thereof for the purpose of securing the bondholders; and (11) provisions for the execution of reimbursement agreements or similar agreements in connection with credit facilities, including, but not limited to, letters of credit or policies of bond insurance, remarketing agreements and agreements for the purpose of moderating interest rate fluctuations.

      (d) If any member whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any bonds or coupons ceases to be such member before delivery of such bonds, such signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329f, inclusive, or any recitals in any bonds issued under the provisions of said sections, all such bonds shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments under the provisions of the general statutes.

      (e) Unless otherwise provided by the ordinance creating the port authority, bonds may be issued under the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, without obtaining the consent of any commission, board, bureau or agency of the state or of any political subdivision, and without any other proceedings or the happening of other conditions or things than those proceedings, conditions or things which are specifically required by said sections.

      (f) The port authority shall have power out of any funds available therefor to purchase its bonds or notes. The port authority may hold, pledge, cancel or resell such bonds, subject to and in accordance with agreements with bondholders.

      (g) A port authority shall cause a copy of any bond resolution adopted by it to be filed for public inspection in its office and in the office of the clerk of each participating municipality and may thereupon cause to be published at least once in a newspaper published or circulating in each participating municipality a notice stating the fact and date of such adoption and the places where such bond resolution has been so filed for public inspection and also the date of the first publication of such notice and also stating that any action or proceeding of any kind or nature in any court questioning the validity or proper authorization of bonds provided for by the bond resolution, or the validity of any covenants, agreements or contracts provided for by the bond resolution, shall be commenced within twenty days after the first publication of such notice. If any such notice is published and if no action or proceeding questioning the validity or proper authorization of bonds provided for by the bond resolution referred to in such notice, or the validity of any covenants, agreements or contracts provided for by the bond resolution is commenced or instituted within twenty days after the first publication of said notice, then all residents and taxpayers and owners of property in each participating municipality and all other persons shall be forever barred and foreclosed from instituting or commencing any action or proceeding in any court, or from pleading any defense to any action or proceeding, questioning the validity or proper authorization of such bonds, or the validity of such covenants, agreements or contracts, and said bonds, covenants, agreements and contracts shall be conclusively deemed to be valid and binding obligations in accordance with their terms and tenor.

      (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, (1) the state shall not, now or in the future, have any liability or responsibility with regard to any obligation issued by the port authority, and (2) no political subdivision of the state shall, now or in the future, have any liability or responsibility with regard to any obligation issued by the port authority except as expressly provided in sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 7; P.A. 06-196, S. 40.)

      History: P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 7, 2006.

      Sec. 7-329h. Securing of bonds. In the discretion of the port authority any bonds issued under the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, may be secured by a trust indenture by way of conveyance, deed of trust or mortgage of any project or any other property of the port authority, whether or not financed in whole or in part from the proceeds of such bonds, or by a trust agreement by and between the port authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state or by both such conveyance, deed of trust or mortgage and indenture or trust agreement. Such trust indenture or agreement may pledge or assign any or all fees, rents and other charges to be received or proceeds of any contract or contracts pledged, and may convey or mortgage any property of the port authority. Such trust indenture or agreement may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including provisions which have been specifically authorized to be included in any resolution or resolutions of the port authority authorizing the issue of bonds. Any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the state may act as depository of the proceeds of such bonds or of revenues or other moneys and may furnish such indemnifying bonds or pledge such securities as may be required by the port authority. Such trust indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, such trust indenture or agreement may contain such other provisions as the port authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust indenture or agreement may be treated as a part of the cost of a project.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 8.)

      Sec. 7-329i. Rates, rents, fees and charges. The port authority is authorized to fix, revise, charge and collect rates, rents, fees and charges for the use of and for the services furnished or to be furnished by each project and to contract with any person, partnership, association or corporation, or other body, public or private, in respect thereof. Such rates, rents, fees and charges shall be fixed and adjusted in respect of the aggregate of rates, rents, fees and charges from such project so as to provide funds sufficient with other revenues, if any, (1) to pay the cost of maintaining, repairing and operating the project and each and every portion thereof, to the extent that the payment of such cost has not otherwise been adequately provided for, (2) to pay the principal of and the interest on outstanding revenue bonds of the port authority issued in respect of such project as the same shall become due and payable, and (3) to create and maintain reserves required or provided for in any resolution authorizing, or trust agreement securing, such revenue bonds of the port authority. Such rates, rents, fees and charges shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any department, commission, board, body, bureau or agency of this state other than the port authority. A sufficient amount of the revenues derived in respect of a project, except such part of such revenues as may be necessary to pay the cost of maintenance, repair and operation and to provide reserves and for renewals, replacements, extensions, enlargements and improvements as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing the issuance of any revenue bonds of the port authority or in the trust agreement securing the same, shall be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided in such resolution or trust agreement in a sinking or other similar fund which is hereby pledged to, and charged with, the payment of the principal of and the interest on such revenue bonds as the same shall become due, and the redemption price or the purchase price of bonds retired by call or purchase as therein provided. Such pledge shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made; the rates, rents, fees and charges and other revenues or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the port authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the port authority, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust indenture or agreement by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the port authority. The use and disposition of moneys to the credit of such sinking or other similar fund shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or of such trust agreement. Except as may otherwise be provided in such resolution or such trust indenture or agreement, such sinking or other similar fund shall be a fund for all such revenue bonds issued to finance projects of such port authority without distinction or priority of one over another.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 9.)

      Sec. 7-329j. Receipts to be trust funds. All moneys received pursuant to the authority of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or as revenues, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in said sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 10.)

      Sec. 7-329k. Rights of bondholders. Any holder of bonds, notes, certificates or other evidences of borrowing issued under the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, or of any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust indenture or agreement, except to the extent the rights herein given may be restricted by such trust indenture or agreement, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, injunction, mandamus or other proceedings, protect and enforce any and all rights under the provisions of the general statutes or granted by said sections or under such trust indenture or agreement or the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, notes or certificates, and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by said sections or by such trust indenture or agreement or resolution to be performed by the port authority or by any officer or agent thereof, including the fixing, charging and collection of fees, rents and other charges.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 11.)

      Sec. 7-329l. Tax exemption. The exercise of the powers granted by sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, shall be in all respects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the state, for the increase of their commerce and for the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, convenience and prosperity, and as the operation and maintenance of any project which the port authority is authorized to undertake constitute the performance of an essential governmental function, no port authority shall be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any project acquired and constructed by it under the provisions of said sections; and the bonds, notes, certificates or other evidences of debt issued under the provisions of said sections, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free and exempt from taxation by the state and by any political subdivision thereof.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 12.)

      Sec. 7-329m. Bonds to be legal investments. Bonds issued by the port authority under the provisions of sections 7-329a to 7-329u, inclusive, shall be securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies and executors, administrators, trustees and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds shall be securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 13.)

      Sec. 7-329n. Municipal powers to aid port authority. For the purpose of aiding a port authority and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, acquisition, construction or operation of any port facility, any municipality may (1) acquire real property in its name for such port facility or for the widening of existing roads, streets, parkways, avenues or highways or for new roads, streets, parkways, avenues or highways to any such port facility, or partly for such purposes and partly for other municipal purposes, by purchase or condemnation in the manner provided by law for the acquisition of real property by such municipality, (2) furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan parks, streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, and (3) do any and all things necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of any such port facility, and cause services to be furnished to the port authority of any character which such municipality is otherwise empowered to furnish, and to incur the entire expense thereof.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 14.)

      Sec. 7-329o. Provision of property to port authority. Any municipality, by ordinance, and any other governmental unit is empowered, without any referendum or public or competitive bidding, and any person is empowered, to sell, lease, lend, grant or convey to any port authority, or to permit a port authority to use, maintain or operate as part of any port facility, any real or personal property which may be necessary or useful and convenient for the purposes of the port authority and accepted by the port authority. Any such sale, lease, loan, grant, conveyance or permit may be made or given with or without consideration and for a specified or an unlimited period of time and under any agreement and on any terms and conditions which may be approved by such municipality, governmental unit or person and which may be agreed to by the port authority in conformity with its contracts with the holders of any bonds. Subject to any such contracts with the holders of bonds, the port authority may enter into and perform any and all agreements with respect to property so purchased, leased, borrowed, received or accepted by it, including agreements for the assumption of principal or interest or both of indebtedness of such municipality, governmental unit or person or of any mortgage or lien existing with respect to such property or for the operation and maintenance of such property as part of any port facility.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 15.)

      Sec. 7-329p. Lease of facilities. Any municipality, governmental unit or person is empowered to enter into and perform any lease or other agreement with any port authority for the lease to or use by such municipality, governmental unit or person of all or any part of any port facility or facilities. Any such lease or other agreement may provide for the payment to the port authority by such municipality, governmental unit or person, annually or otherwise, of such sum or sums of money, computed at fixed amounts or by any formula or in any other manner, as may be so fixed or computed. Any such lease or other agreement may be made and entered into for a term beginning currently or at some future or contingent date and with or without consideration and for a specified or unlimited time and on any terms and conditions which may be approved by such municipality, governmental unit or person and which may be agreed to by the port authority in conformity with its contracts with the holders of any bonds, and shall be valid and binding on such municipality, governmental unit or person whether or not an appropriation is made thereby prior to authorization or execution of such lease or other agreement. Such municipality, governmental unit or person shall do all acts and things necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out and perform any such lease or other agreement entered into by it and to provide for the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder in the same manner as other obligations of such municipality, governmental unit or person.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 16.)

      Sec. 7-329q. Financial aid by municipality. For the purpose of aiding a port authority and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, acquisition, construction or operation of any port facility, any municipality, by ordinance or by resolution of its legislative body, shall have power from time to time and for such period and upon such terms, with or without consideration, as may be provided by such resolution or ordinance and accepted by the port authority, (1) to appropriate moneys for the purposes of the port authority, and to loan or donate such money to the port authority in such installments and upon such terms as may be agreed upon with the port authority, (2) to covenant and agree with the port authority to pay to or on the order of the port authority annually or at shorter intervals as a subsidy for the promotion of its purposes not more than such sums of money as may be stated in such resolution or ordinance or computed in accordance therewith, (3) upon authorization by it in accordance with law of the performance of any act or thing which it is empowered by law to authorize and perform and after appropriation of the moneys, if any, necessary for such performance, to covenant and agree with the port authority to do and perform such act or thing and as to the time, manner and other details of its doing and performance, and (4) to appropriate money for all or any part of the cost of acquisition or construction of such port facility, and, in accordance with the limitations and any exceptions thereto and in accordance with procedure prescribed by law, to incur indebtedness, borrow money and issue its negotiable bonds for the purpose of financing such port facility and appropriation, and to pay the proceeds of such bonds to the port authority.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 17.)

      Sec. 7-329r. Municipal guarantee of port authority bonds. For the purpose of aiding a port authority in the planning, undertaking, acquisition, construction or operation of any port facility, any participating municipality may, pursuant to resolution adopted by its legislative body in the manner provided for adoption of a resolution authorizing bonds of such municipality and with or without consideration and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed to by and between the municipality and the port authority, unconditionally guarantee the punctual payment of the principal of and interest on any bonds of the port authority and pledge the full faith and credit of the municipality to the payment thereof. Any guaranty of bonds of a port authority made pursuant to this section shall be evidenced by endorsement thereof on such bonds, executed in the name of the municipality and on its behalf by such officer thereof as may be designated in the resolution authorizing such guaranty, and such municipality shall thereupon and thereafter be obligated to pay the principal of and interest on said bonds in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of bonds issued by it. As part of the guarantee of the municipality for payment of principal and interest on the bonds, the municipality may pledge to and agree with the owners of bonds issued under this chapter and with those persons who may enter into contracts with the municipality or the port authority or any successor agency pursuant to the provisions of this chapter that it will not limit or alter the rights thereby vested in the bondowners, the port authority or any contracting party until such bonds, together with the interest thereon, are fully met and discharged and such contracts are fully performed on the part of the municipality or the port authority, provided nothing in this subsection shall preclude such limitation or alteration if and when adequate provisions shall be made by law for the protection of the owners of such bonds of the municipality or the port authority or those entering into such contracts with the municipality or the port authority. The port authority is authorized to include this pledge and undertaking for the municipality in such bonds or contracts. To the extent provided in such agreement or agreements, the obligations of the municipality thereunder shall be obligatory upon the municipality and the inhabitants and property thereof, and thereafter the municipality shall appropriate in each year during the term of such agreement, and there shall be available on or before the date when the same are payable, an amount of money which, together with other revenue available for such purpose, shall be sufficient to pay such principal and interest guaranteed by it and payable thereunder in that year, and there shall be included in the tax levy for each such year an amount which, together with other revenues available for such purpose, shall be sufficient to meet such appropriation. Any such agreement shall be valid, binding and enforceable against the municipality if approved by action of the legislative body of such municipality. Any such guaranty of bonds of a port authority may be made, and any resolution authorizing such guaranty may be adopted, notwithstanding any statutory debt or other limitations, but the principal amount of bonds so guaranteed shall, after their issuance, be included in the gross debt of such municipality for the purpose of determining the indebtedness of such municipality under subsection (b) of section 7-374. The principal amount of bonds so guaranteed and included in gross debt shall be deducted and is declared to be and to constitute a deduction from such gross debt under and for all the purposes of said subsection (b) of section 7-374, (1) from and after the time of issuance of said bonds until the end of the fiscal year beginning next after the completion of acquisition and construction of the port facility to be financed from the proceeds of such bonds and (2) during any subsequent fiscal year if the revenues of the port authority in the preceding fiscal year are sufficient to pay its expenses of operation and maintenance in such year and all amounts payable in such year on account of the principal and interest on all such guaranteed bonds, all bonds of the municipality issued as provided in section 7-329q, and all bonds of the port authority issued under section 7-329g.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 18.)

      Sec. 7-329s. Pledge or assignment of lease to secure bonds. Any lease or other agreement, and any instruments making or evidencing the same, may be pledged or assigned by the port authority to secure its bonds and thereafter may not be modified except as provided by the terms of such instrument or by the terms of such pledge or assignment.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 19.)

      Sec. 7-329t. Exemption of property from levy and sale by virtue of execution. All property of a port authority shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution and no execution or other judicial process shall issue against the same nor shall any judgment against a port authority be a charge or lien upon its property; provided nothing herein contained shall apply to or limit the rights of the holder of any bonds to pursue any remedy for the enforcement of any pledge or lien given by a port authority on its facility revenues or other moneys.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 20.)

      Sec. 7-329u. Payment by port authority of sums in lieu of taxes. Every port authority and every municipality in which any property of the port authority is located may enter into agreements with respect to the payment by the port authority to such municipality of annual sums of money in lieu of taxes on such property in such amounts as may be agreed upon between the port authority and the municipality, and each such port authority may make, and each such municipality is empowered to accept, such payments and to apply them in the manner in which taxes may be applied in such municipality; provided no such annual payment with respect to any parcel of such property shall exceed the amount of taxes paid thereon for the taxable year immediately prior to the time of its acquisition by the port authority.

      (P.A. 98-240, S. 21.)

      Sec. 7-330. Formation of municipal district. Any two or more towns, cities or boroughs may, by vote of their legislative bodies, vote to form a district for the performance of any municipal function which the constituent municipalities of such district may, under any provision of the general statutes or of any special act, perform separately. The affairs of any such district shall be managed by a board consisting of two members from each constituent municipality appointed by the board of selectmen of towns, the council or board of aldermen of cities and the board of burgesses of boroughs. Any town, city or borough having a population of more than five thousand inhabitants as determined by the last-completed federal census shall be entitled to one additional representative for each additional five thousand population or part thereof. The board shall, at its first meeting, determine by lot which members shall serve for one, two or three years, provided the terms of office of not more than fifty per cent of the board shall expire in any one year. Thereafter, the terms of office shall be for three years. Such board shall choose by ballot from its membership a chairman, a secretary and a treasurer. Such treasurer shall give bond to the board to the satisfaction of its members, the cost of such bond to be borne by the board.

      (1955, S. 344d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 35.)

      Sec. 7-331. Payment of expenses. The proportional share of each constituent municipality of the indebtedness and current expenditures of the district for its projects under the provisions of sections 7-330 to 7-332, inclusive, shall be determined by the board, which board shall have all the powers and duties with regard to such projects as such constituent municipalities would have severally.

      (1955, S. 345d.)

      Sec. 7-332. Admission to or withdrawal from district. Any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body, after the formation of a district in accordance with the provisions of section 7-330, elect to apply for admission to such district and the board of such district may admit such municipality. Any constituent municipality of any district may, by vote of its legislative body, elect to withdraw from such district, but such withdrawal shall not be effective until six months after such vote, nor shall such withdrawal relieve such municipality of any liability which it incurred as a member of such district.

      (1955, S. 346d.)

      Sec. 7-333. Metropolitan districts. Definitions. Whenever used in sections 7-334 to 7-339, inclusive, "metropolitan area" means any area in which there is a city having a population according to the last-completed federal census of twenty-five thousand or more, designated hereafter as the "central city", and any town, city or borough any part of which is not more than fifteen miles distant from the nearest boundary of such central city.

      (1955, S. 347d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 36; 1961, P.A. 313.)

      History: 1961 act reduced size of city in definition of metropolitan area from fifty to twenty-five thousand.

      Sec. 7-334. Formation of metropolitan district. Jurisdiction. The central city and any one or more towns, cities or boroughs within a metropolitan area may join to form a metropolitan district for the performance of any one or more functions, services or works which any of such towns, cities or boroughs is by special act or general statute authorized to perform. The jurisdiction of the metropolitan district for the performance of such functions, services or works as it may perform shall be coterminous with the area of the respective towns, cities and boroughs comprising such district.

      (1955, S. 348d.)

      Sec. 7-335. Powers of districts. The central city and any one or more towns, cities or boroughs, in addition to such powers as each has under any provision of the general statutes or any special act, may adopt and amend a charter for the metropolitan district, which charter shall, among other things, provide for the structure and organization of the metropolitan district government, the powers and duties of such government, the means of financing its operations, the admission of additional towns, cities and boroughs as members of the metropolitan district, the withdrawal of any constituent municipality and the dissolution of such district. Said charter shall supersede any existing charter provisions and all special acts inconsistent with the provisions of the metropolitan district charter. In addition, such district, unless prohibited by the provisions of its charter, shall have such powers as are granted to any of its constituent towns, cities and boroughs under the Constitution, general statutes or special acts.

      (1955, S. 349d.)

      Sec. 7-336. Petition to establish district. Any action to establish a metropolitan district shall be initiated by a two-thirds vote of the legislative body of the central city and of any one or more towns, cities or boroughs in the metropolitan area, or by petition filed with the clerk of any such municipality for submission to the legislative body and signed by not less than ten per cent of the electors of such town, city or borough wishing to form a metropolitan district. Upon the filing of such petitions, the clerk with whom the petitions are filed shall proceed forthwith to determine the sufficiency thereof by comparing the signatures thereon with the names contained in the registry list of the municipality in which the petition has been circulated.

      (1955, S. 350d.)

      Sec. 7-337. Charter commission. Within sixty days after action to establish a metropolitan district has been initiated by vote of the legislative bodies or by petition, the legislative bodies of the central city and any towns, cities or boroughs which have indicated an intention of forming a metropolitan district shall meet jointly at a time and place designated by the presiding officer of the legislative body representing the largest number of electors and shall provide by joint resolution for the appointment of a metropolitan district charter commission, which shall consist of at least one representative from each town, city or borough to be included in such district, but in no case shall such commission consist of less than five nor more than fifteen members regardless of the number of towns, cities or boroughs involved. Where representation exceeds one representative per town, city or borough, the representation shall be, as nearly as possible, in proportion to the number of electors residing within the boundaries of any town, city or borough to be included in such metropolitan district. On any matter coming before the joint meeting of the legislative bodies as hereinbefore provided which requires a vote, no town, city or borough shall be accorded more than one vote on each such matter. The choice of the charter commission representatives from each town, city or borough to be included in the metropolitan district shall be the responsibility of such town, city or borough and such representatives shall be selected in such manner as the legislative body of such town, city or borough prescribes.

      (1955, S. 351d.)

      Sec. 7-338. Preparation of charter. Such charter commission shall prepare a district charter providing for the administration of the property and affairs of the metropolitan district. The functions, services or works to be performed by such district shall be determined after an investigation of the needs of the district to be formed and after public hearings held for the purpose of obtaining the views of the electors. The members of the charter commission shall serve without compensation but any expense incurred in the discharge of its duties shall be paid by each town, city or borough to be included in the proposed metropolitan district in proportion to the percentage which the population, as determined by the last-preceding federal census, of each participating town, city or borough is of the total population of such district. The charter commission may engage such employees and contract for the services of such consultants as it may need for the proper execution of its duties.

      (1955, S. 352d.)

      Sec. 7-339. Vote on charter. Not less than ninety days nor more than one year after the first meeting of the metropolitan charter commission, a proposed district charter shall be submitted to the electors of each town, city or borough to be included in such metropolitan district at the next general election unless a petition for a special election is filed with the clerk of two or more towns, cities or boroughs to be included in the proposed district signed by not less than ten per cent of the electors of such towns, cities or boroughs. The sufficiency of such petitions shall be determined in the same manner as is specified in section 7-336. If the charter commission, by unanimous vote, determines that more than one year is required for the completion of its duties, an extension of time, not to exceed ninety days, shall be permitted. The metropolitan district charter shall become effective if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon in accordance with the provisions of this section; provided such majority shall be no less than fifteen per cent of the total number of electors in all the towns, cities and boroughs voting on the question.

      (1955, S. 353d.)

      Sec. 7-339a. Interlocal agreements. Definitions. As used in sections 7-339a to 7-339l, inclusive, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: "Public agency" means any city, town or borough or any district as defined in section 7-324 or any metropolitan district or any municipal district created under section 7-330 of the state of Connecticut and any local governmental unit, subdivision or special district of another state; "interlocal agreement" means an agreement entered into pursuant to said sections; "interlocal advisory board" means a board established pursuant to said sections; "participating public agency" means a party to an interlocal agreement; "legislative body" has the meaning assigned to it by section 1-1 but, where the legislative body is the town meeting, the requirements of said sections as to holding public hearings by a legislative body shall not apply.

      (1961, P.A. 429, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 516, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 359; P.A. 95-308, S. 1.)

      History: 1967 act deleted references to fire, school, improvement districts and district corporations in definition of "public agency" broadening definition to include "any district as defined in section 7-324"; 1969 act included municipal and metropolitan districts in definition of "public agency"; P.A. 95-308 revised the definition of "public agency" to refer to participating public agency in lieu of contracting public agency.

      Sec. 7-339b. Subjects of interlocal agreements. (a) Any public agency of this state may participate in developing and implementing interlocal agreements with any public agency or agencies of this state or any other state or states providing for any of the following:

      (1) The exchange, furnishing or providing by one or more of the participating public agencies to one or more of the other participating public agencies, or the furnishing or providing for the joint use or benefit of the several participating public agencies, of services, personnel, facilities, equipment or any other property or resources for any one or more of the following purposes or uses: Fire prevention and fire fighting; police protection and police services; supply of water, gas or electricity; garbage collection and disposal; sewer lines and sewage treatment and disposal; refuse collection and disposal, and establishment or use of public dumps; storm drainage; establishment or use of airports or landing fields; public entertainment and amusement; establishment or use of parks, public gardens, gymnasiums, playgrounds, swimming pools, community centers, recreation centers or other recreational areas or facilities; establishment and preservation of open spaces; control of air and water pollution; planning services; engineering services; lighting; ambulance service; fire and police radio and communication systems, hospital service; public health services; mental health services; establishment or care of cemeteries; library or bookmobile services; suppression or control of plant and animal pests or diseases; flood control; water conservation; public shade tree protection services; traffic services; transportation services; redevelopment services, and publicizing the advantages of the region.

      (2) The establishment of an interlocal advisory board or boards to recommend programs and policies for cooperative or uniform action in any fields of activity permitted or authorized hereunder for each participating public agency, and from time to time to advise with the appropriate officials of the participating public agencies in respect to such programs, policies or fields of activity.

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