The Water and Sewer Commissioners shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all water supplies, water service pipes (to and including the water meters), water mains, fire hydrants, sewers and drains, and connection pipes leading from private properties to sewers and drains.
[Adopted as § 2-601 of the General Bylaws; amended 10-25-2005 STM, approved 1-12-2006; 5-9-2017 ATM, approved 8-31-2017]
The Water and Sewer Commissioners shall have the authority to exercise any right that the Town has to enter upon and pass over premises where the Town has an easement of way for the construction or maintenance of pipes, mains, sewers or drains that are within the jurisdiction of the Water and Sewer Commissioners.
The Water and Sewer Commissioners shall have the authority to make rules and regulations to regulate the introduction, supply and use of water, to regulate the fee to be charged for the installation or maintenance of water meters, to determine and assess water rates and sewer usage rates, and to regulate the collection, transmission and treatment of wastewater.
When, in the opinion of the Water and Sewer Commissioners, an emergency exists as a result of drought, hurricane, conflagration or other disaster, the Commissioners have the authority upon notice to the consumers by publication to establish special rules and regulations concerning the use of water during the existence of an emergency, including limits on the quantity of water used, the manner in which water is used or the purpose for which water is used.
Water shall not be supplied to a building unless the pipes and fixtures of the building conform to the State Building Code.
[Amended 11-5-2019 STM by Art. 21, approved 2-27-2020]
The Department of Public Works shall install and maintain in proper working condition a water meter on each service and shall charge for water by fees based on connection and measured usage. The DPW shall require a separate connection for each estate.
A fee shall be charged for the initial installation of a water meter and water service, and the Commissioners have the authority to charge a fee for the replacement or the repair of a water meter.
At least semiannually, and at such other appropriate times, a statement shall be issued to a water user or the owner of premises. The user at a premises may request and receive a copy of the statement.
Upon request of a water user, the Department of Public Works may provide an interim meter reading, and the Water and Sewer Commissioners have the authority to establish an appropriate service charge for the interim meter reading.
[Amended 10-25-2022STM by Art. 23, approved 2-22-2023]
The Finance and Administration Department shall keep and maintain the books, accounts and records of the Water and Sewer Commissioners and provide for the collection of monies due the Town and the preparation of such reports as the Commissioners or Town Manager requires.
The Finance and Administration Department, in conjunction with the Public Works Department and Water and Sewer Commission, shall maintain records that show:
A.
The receipts and expenditures of the Commissioners;
B.
The names of all persons who use water, the address at which the water is used, the nature of the use;
C.
The number of water users;
D.
The amount charged for water service;
E.
The number and amount of rebates;
F.
The number of cases in which water has been shut off; and
G.
Such other information as the Commissioners may require.
The Water and Sewer Commissioners have authority to make an abatement on a charge for water in an appropriate case.
A.
All bills for water services shall be payable upon receipt. If a bill for water services remains unpaid for 40 days after the date of billing, a demand fee equal to $15 shall be assessed, and the Department of Finance and Administration shall send a notice to the delinquent account that the Water and Sewer Commissioners have the authority to cause the water service to be turned off if the bill for water services is not paid on/before 55 days after the date of billing.
B.
A forty-eight-hour written notice by certified mail and/or other documented communication shall be required prior to water being shut off. Termination of service may only take place Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
C.
If the water supply has been turned off at a water use location, the Commissioners shall not cause the water to be turned on again until the amount due, including all assessed interest and demand fees, together with $25 for the restoration of the services, have been paid.
D.
Nothing shall be construed to prevent termination for reasons of safety, health, cooperation with civil authorities or any other reason for which termination power is specifically granted in Massachusetts General Laws.
E.
Service shall not be shut off to any residential customer if:
(1)
The customer or any person in the residence is seriously ill as substantiated by a medical doctor;
(2)
A child under 12 months of age lives in the residence;
(3)
Between October 15 and May 15, the home is heated by a steam or hydronic hot-water boiler;
(4)
The customer or other residents are 65 years of age or older;
F.
A customer shall be responsible for and accordingly shall be subject to termination for nonpayment of any portion of any bill which is not the subject of dispute.
A person shall not violate a rule or regulation established by the Water and Sewer Commissioners.
The Water and Sewer Commissioners shall include in their annual report:
A.
A statement of receipts and expenditures during the year;
B.
Statistics that reflect the quantity of water and sewer service during the year;
C.
Additions to and withdrawals of water, sewer and drainage systems during the year; and
D.
The number of new and replacement fire hydrants installed during the year.