Garrison Carroll County customers of Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District (TLRSD) will pay a $1,000 fee to connect to the service by April 1. Property owners within the project were mailed certified notices and invoices. Invoices should be completed and returned with full payment by April 1. Those who cannot afford the entire amount can pay in monthly installments until the obligation is met.

According to Carroll County TLRSD representative Wayne Garrison, who also serves as president of the group, the district established an in-house payment plan for those residents who would rather pay on time than pay the entire amount at one time.

"The district will make the loans to the customers," he said. "No banks are involved but each customer who wants to pay on time must fill out the paperwork by April 1."

Garrison said the sewer district would essentially loan the customer the money, which would then pay the district the entire $1,000 for the connection. The customer will pay a 9.975 percent interest charge on the balance of the loan until it is paid in full. Customers will have up to 36 months to pay the debt. Garrison said customers could begin paying back the loan now and could choose to pay the loan in any number of installments before the 36-month deadline.

Property owners will also pay a $65 per month sewer bill for the service. Owners of family connections of the non-single type will pay proportionately higher sewer bills and connection charges.

A customer who chooses to pay by installments would be obligated to pay the balance of the loan, plus interest, even if the service to the property has been discontinued.

The remaining balance will need to be paid in full in the event of the following: • Transfer of ownership of a property which a connection fee was incurred on or after April 1;

• The lapse of 30 days following the district's request of payment in full of deferred connection fee or if a connection charge is not paid on or before April 30. A 10 percent penalty will be assessed and a lien will be placed on the parcel of real estate to be served in accordance with the terms of state statute.

Customers who choose to make monthly installment payments must complete and sign an application and agreement at the district office by April 1. To accommodate customers who may need extended hours, the district office will be open March 16, 23 and 30 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on March 14 and 28 (both Saturdays) from 8 a.m. to noon. The office is located at 921 W. Executive Ct., Monticello.

For information, call the Twin Lakes Regional District at (877) 810-2814 or go online to twinlakesrsd.com.

"We are still in the construction phase," Garrison concluded. "But we will be ready to connect customers in Phase IIIB in April."