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Board clarifies ADU water service: separate meter and SDC advised
Summary
Westford water staff and commissioners agreed that an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with its own structure should have a separate water meter and be charged a Service Development Charge; assistant town manager clarified the ADU definition used in the discussion.
During the May 14 meeting, Water Superintendent Mark Warren asked the commission whether an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requires a separate water meter and Service Development Charge (SDC).
Vice‑Chair Titus Palmer said a separate structure should have a separate meter and an SDC; Warren agreed a new service should be charged an SDC. Assistant Town Manager Jeff Morrissette clarified the meeting's working ADU definition, saying an ADU has “one bedroom, one bath and a cooking facility.” The board did not adopt a formal written rule at the meeting; commissioners indicated the expectation that a separate structure and new service would be billed as a new connection with corresponding SDCs.
The board did not specify a fee amount or immediate regulatory change; staff will apply the department's existing rules on new services when processing ADU connections.
