Commissioners discuss ADU taps, contractor checks, irrigation rules and mandatory meter replacements driven by state lead-and-copper rule

Town Water Commission members on June 8 discussed several proposed changes to the water department's rules and operations, including explicit requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), a contractor qualification form, irrigation cross-connection controls, a shift in customer-service hours and a state-driven meter replacement program tied to lead-and-copper compliance.

Commissioners agreed that Section 7.2 of the rules and regulations should explicitly state that an ADU requires a separate water service line when it is a separate dwelling; staff said the water department will only allow a separate line for each unit. Commissioners tasked staff to add a detached-ADU wording example to clarify permitting and tapping permit requirements.

On contractor oversight, commissioners recommended creating a simple contractor form that lists insurance coverage and the contractor's insurance carrier, and attaching the town's materials checklist to the contractor list so contractors cannot claim they were not informed of material requirements.

Commissioners also asked staff to add an irrigation section to the rules and consider inviting the building inspector to a future meeting to discuss irrigation permitting and cross-connection protection (timers, rain sensors and compliance with seasonal watering restrictions). The commission noted that commercial irrigation is a major driver of recent high bills.

Staff described a meter-replacement effort tied to state requirements to verify service-line materials under the revised lead-and-copper rule. "The state has told me to change all the meters," staff said, and the department described a notice-and-enforcement process: multiple warnings, a potential fine imposed as a unit charge (cited in discussion as roughly $50), and eventual shutoffs for noncompliance only as a last resort once available meter inventory is reduced and the shutoff policy applies. Staff said the department takes photos of service lines during replacement to document materials.

Commissioners also agreed to change posted customer-service hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to better serve callers before work and to publicize the hours online. Other routine items discussed included tank cleaning in early July and scheduling for fence and paving projects around the tanks.

Commissioners asked staff to model daily peak demand when multiunit projects arrive (staff named proposals on Hanes Road and other subdivisions) to ensure sufficient capacity before approving new service connections.