Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the town of Southwick is hereby authorized to assess interest on apportionments of sewer betterment assessments at a rate equal to the rate of interest chargeable to the town for the betterment project to which the assessments relate or at the rate set forth in section 13 of chapter 80 of the General Laws as chosen by the board of selectmen of said town.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the board of assessors of the town of Southwick shall, at the request of the board of selectmen of said town, apportion all assessments on unpaid balances of betterment assessments made pursuant to chapter 80 of the General Laws for sewer projects into such number of equal annual payments, not more than 40, and owners shall not be given a shorter period than that requested by said board of selectmen; provided, however, that owners may pay the total amount due at any time.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.