Editor's Note: An amendment adopted 8-15-2012 provided the following:

"The Town of Orleans' Water Department was established under Chapter 418 of the Acts of 1953. In accordance with the Orleans Home Rule charter Chapter 6, Section 8, a seven-member Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners shall be established with three full members and two alternate members being appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one member appointed by the Planning Board and one member appointed by the Health Department to be responsible for all functions of the Act, set policies and ensure high quality potable water. The following functions shall be vested in the Board of Selectmen: establish water rates; contract with a municipality; acquire or take water resources, rights-of-way or easements; and issue bonds for development costs. In exercising its functions the Board of Selectmen shall consult with the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners."

"The following rules and regulations are part of the contract with every person who takes water from the Town of Orleans and governs the relationship between the Water Department and its consumers, contractors, developers, and all other persons who install, tie into or use water from the Orleans Water System."