(a) General rule.--By ordinance, a borough may sell all or part of its water system to a purchaser at an agreed-upon price, and, thereafter, for all purposes that price shall be deemed to be the purchaser's original cost less accrued depreciation of the plant at the date of purchase. No ordinance shall take effect until the expiration of ten days following its enactment, and, if, within that ten-day period, a protest signed by at least 10% of the registered electors of the borough is filed with the council, the sale shall be stayed pending a referendum on the ordinance.
(b) Protest.--The following shall apply to a protest:
(1) The borough secretary, within five days following the filing of the protest, shall certify to the county board of elections a copy of the ordinance and the fact of the protest, together with the number of signers of the protest, and the county board of elections shall direct a referendum to be held on the matter at a special election to be held at the time of the next general or municipal or primary election occurring not less than 60 days from the date of the certification by the borough secretary.
(2) The referendum shall be conducted by the county board of elections in the manner provided by the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, for the holding of special elections. The ballot used when voting upon the question shall contain a question stating the nature and purpose of the ordinance and provide that a "yes" vote shall be to sustain the ordinance and a "no" vote shall be to reject it.
(3) If more electors vote to sustain the ordinance than to reject it, the ordinance shall take effect immediately. If more electors shall vote to reject the ordinance than to sustain it, the ordinance shall be null and void and shall not take effect.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 8 - BOROUGHS AND INCORPORATED TOWNS
Section 2401 - Power to supply water and make regulations
Section 2402 - Contracts not to abridge powers
Section 2403 - Issue of bonds where water system acquired
Section 2404 - Refunding bonds
Section 2406 - Contracts to supply water for municipal purposes
Section 2407 - Power to supply water beyond limits of borough
Section 2408 - Assessment for water mains
Section 2409 - Sale of water system
Section 2411 - Appropriation of lands and waters
Section 2412 - Agreements as to damages
Section 2421 - Petition to court
Section 2422 - Appointment of appraisers
Section 2423 - Powers of appraisers
Section 2424 - Appeal from appraisement
Section 2425 - Authority to purchase and consent to sell
Section 2426 - Bond issue and limitations
Section 2431 - Lease of water system
Section 2432 - Term of lease and rental
Section 2433 - Operation of property
Section 2436 - Joint acquisition and construction
Section 2438 - Joint commission
Section 2441 - Acquisition of land
Section 2442 - Filing maps and plans
Section 2452 - Terms of commissioners and compensation
Section 2453 - Organization of commissioners
Section 2454 - Powers of commission
Section 2456 - Preparation of plans and specifications and contracts
Section 2457 - Reports by commission
Section 2462 - Notice and failure to make required connection