Commissioners split over whether town water should require annexation

Commissioners spent a significant portion of the meeting debating how the town should treat requests for water service outside town limits. The Chair argued that receiving full municipal services should normally require annexation: "if they want town water, they need to be in the town boundary," she said. Other members noted boundary adjustments are commonly used and recommended including both options in the plan's policy language to reflect legal and political realities.

The group also discussed coordination with county sewage ownership, local hospitals' expansion plans (Riverside and Commonwealth were referenced), and possible revenue tools such as differential water rates for properties outside town limits. Wes confirmed the municipal water policy memorandum will capture recommended approaches and that any implementation details would need cross‑agency coordination.