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Select Board backs ZBA request to press Taunton for LeBaron Hill waterline extension
Summary
The Lakeville Select Board on June 24 signaled consensus to back a Zoning Board of Appeals request that the Taunton Water Department extend a waterline through Fern Avenue for Phase 6 of the LeBaron Hill development and not require a “watergate,” a change homeowners say would improve pressure and let each property be metered individually.
The Lakeville Select Board on June 24 signaled consensus to back a request from the Zoning Board of Appeals asking the Taunton Water Department to extend a municipal waterline through Fern Avenue to Precinct Street as part of Phase 6 of the LeBaron Hill development — and to ask Taunton not to install a watergate that would preserve a master-meter arrangement.
The Zoning Board memo, read into the Select Board record, said the extension and keeping the line active “would improve the pressure and quality of the water system that runs through the entire LeBaron community” and that homeowners were prepared to upgrade their individual meters to meet Taunton’s specifications at their own expense.
The board’s discussion centered on practical and regulatory consequences. Town Administrator Andrew (identified in the meeting only by first name) summarized the technical point: a closed “watergate” or master valve would prevent continuous flow in the line and preserve the master-meter arrangement; removing that gate and keeping a continuous flow would render a master meter “ineffective” and shift ownership and long‑term maintenance responsibilities to Taunton or the homeowners’ association (HOA).
Homeowners and committee members described multiple implications. Kevin McMenemy, speaking for the LeBaron Hill HOA, said homeowners were not told they might have to become a public water supplier and that the commercial‑rate billing they now face could make the community unaffordable. McMenemy said the HOA is prepared to install Itron radios (remote‑reading meter devices) in individual residences but that many technical details remain unresolved. Kelly Newman, chair of Lakeville’s Water Committee, said the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) intends to meet with the developer’s counsel next week and could require either the HOA to assume responsibility for the system or Taunton to take over ownership.
Board members noted ties to public‑safety concerns. Select Board members and speakers called out potential fire‑suppression consequences if distribution pressure is reduced by a closed gate. Officials also flagged outstanding engineering items: the developer recently supplied asphalt and technical designs that Taunton and DEP had been awaiting.
After discussion, the board agreed there was consensus to “echo the sentiments” of the ZBA and asked staff to draft a letter to Taunton supporting the ZBA request that the line be extended and that Taunton not require a watergate. The chair said she would review a draft to be circulated to board members.
What happens next
DEP involvement and any Taunton decision are external to Lakeville; the board’s action was to voice support for the ZBA’s position and to press the town administrator to send a formal letter. Select Board members and speakers said further technical and legal work will be needed before ownership and billing arrangements are finalized.
Evidence spans from the meeting transcript include the ZBA memorandum read into the record and the board discussion in which residents and committee chairs described DEP contact, meter upgrades, and safety concerns; the board’s next step is staff drafting a supportive letter for the board’s review.
