Whereas, this legislation requires referendum approval before it can take effect; and

Whereas, this referendum is connected with the Kennebunk town meeting to be held on June 8, 1999; and

Whereas, unless this Act is enacted before that date, the referendum will require a special election, which would be a considerable financial burden on the Town of Kennebunk; and

Whereas, this Act must take effect as soon as possible; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. P&SL 1955, c. 69, §17-A is enacted to read:

Sec. 17-A.__Assessments.__When the district has constructed and completed a common sewer, the trustees may determine what lots or parcels of land are benefited by that sewer and assess upon each such lot and parcel of land and against the owner or, if the owner cannot be identified, the person in possession or against whom the taxes are assessed, a sum the trustees determine just and equitable towards defraying the expenses of constructing and completing the sewer, together with such sewage facilities and appurtenances as may be necessary, as long as the assessments do not exceed the total cost of the sewer, sewage facilities and appurtenances.__The trustees shall determine the method to be applied when making the assessment, but that method must be uniformly applied to each lot or parcel of land subject to the particular assessment.__The trustees shall commit the assessment to the treasurer of the district by delivering to the treasurer a plan showing the location of the sewer, sewage facilities and appurtenances and a statement of the amount assessed upon each lot or parcel of land along with a description of each lot or parcel of land and the name of the owner of the lot or parcel of land or person against whom the assessment is made, all of which the treasurer of the district shall record in a book kept for that purpose.__Within 30 days after commitment of the assessment, the clerk of the district shall mail, return receipt requested, notice of the assessment to each person so assessed.__Notice of the assessment must be mailed to the last known address of the person assessed.__If a signed return receipt is not received