There are a number of policies in place on the subject issues, some of which may not have been formally adopted by the Selectboard. Adoption of this policy will codify and ratify the existing situation.

It is desirable that wherever feasible, all water users be served by the public system. Among these reasons are reliability of the supply in terms of safety, quality and quantity, and the sharing of the cost for these public benefits over as wide a base as is feasible and equitable. Similarly, it is desirable that, wherever feasible, all users generating water borne waste discharge such waste to the public system. Among these reasons are reliability of the treatment in terms of public health and safety, maximizing environmental protection for surface waters and groundwater, and the sharing of the cost for these public benefits over as wide a base as is feasible and equitable.

It is desirable that all users of the water and sewer systems be metered. Among the reasons for metering are the conservation of the resource and the public investment in infrastructure. Additionally, flows need to be metered so that the variable costs of operating these systems are fairly apportioned among water and sewer users.

Existing customers that have been connected for some time have been paying for water service costs, including a budgeted meter installation program, through their water charges. Therefore, it is proposed that the Town will install meters for these customers at no charge. New customers are expected to pay the cost of metering, along with the direct costs of connecting to the systems. Thereafter, variable costs of operating the water (and sewer) systems will be apportioned based upon metered flow.

The Town of Windsor hereby adopts the following policies:

• All public buildings (as defined in State regulations, i.e. anything other than a single-family residence) shall be metered.
• All new or replacement service installations, of any type, shall be metered.
• The Town may install meters on any un-metered service(s) at its option, see below.
• Before the acceptance of any new water and sewer infrastructure, all facilities served by such infrastructure shall be connected and metered as required by this Policy.
• Any un-metered facility that is required to be metered shall be metered within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this policy.
• Once a property or service has been metered, it shall remain metered for as long as the service continues, regardless of any interruptions in service or change(s) in the customer. If the demands or nature of the flow change, then the Town may change the size or type of the meter. However, the meter shall not be removed and the invoice shall be based on the metered flow.

• In order to fulfill the purposes of this Policy, the Town will install meters in single family structures that were connected before January 1, 2001. This installation will be at no cost to the customer. However, customers are required to cooperate with the installation in allowing access, providing a suitable location for meter and remote readout, etc. This program will be accomplished over a period of years, and its scope and progress will be determined by the Department of Public Works and its available budget.

Meters – Protection and General–

• The Customer is responsible for protection of the meter assembly and/or building shut off and service piping from extremes of weather, including freeze ups.
• The new (connected after January 1, 2001) Customer is responsible for the Town’s cost for the components, including the meter and accessories, that are required to connect to the Town water system.
• Reasonable requests for mark out of utility locations for excavation (DIG Safe) will be performed at no cost to the customer.
• While a property is connected to the system, the fixed portion of the bill applies – although the water use is zero and the service may be shut off.

• Customer is responsible for the service from the curb shutoff to and including the meter assembly and/or building shut off. Responsible means that the customer must repair any leaks, thaw any freeze-ups, and perform other such operations as required for the reliable and proper operation of the Customer’s portion of the service.
• Curb shutoffs are generally intended to be located inside and near the right of way line, or behind the sidewalk. In the event the curb shutoff is not located as intended, and maintenance or replacement is required. The Town shall at its cost cooperate with the Customer and perform the operation, to include the location of a new curb shut off at the intended location.
• Each building served by water, except for buildings accessory to single family residences (e.g. garages, potting sheds, etc.), shall have a separate water service to the Town main. New "private water mains" are not permitted in the Town of Windsor.
• The Town Department of Public Works shall have adopted technical standards for water services, meters, and appurtenances, and may from time to time amend such standards. Water services from the main to the meter shall be type K copper or ductile iron, depending on the size, and shall conform to applicable American Water Works Association standards as adopted by the Department of Public Works.

• Customer is responsible for the building sewer from the wye on the sewer main (or the manhole where the sewer connects at a manhole) to the building, including any cleanouts in this distance.
• Clean outs, extended to grade and with iron top components for magnetic location (brass plugs) are required on each service line, normally located within the street within one foot of the right of way line.
• Appendix 1-A-01, "Building Sewers" of the "Small Scale Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Rules" August 8, 1996, by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Wastewater Management Division shall apply to sewer service construction. The Town Department of Public Works shall have adopted technical standards and details for sewer services, meters, and appurtenances, and may from time to time amend such standards. Building sewers shall conform to applicable standards cited above and as adopted by the Department of Public Works.
• While a property is connected to the system, the fixed portion of the bill applies – although the (sewer) water use is zero and the water (sewer) service may be shut off.
• Each building generating wastewater, except for buildings accessory to single family residences (e.g. garages, potting sheds, etc.) shall have a separate building sewer to the Town main. New "private sewer mains" are not permitted in the Town of Windsor.

Connection required – In addition to any requirement that may be imposed by a State Land Use or Subdivision Permit, or a decision of the Development Review Board, buildings and other structures with water service or generating wastewater flows shall be connected to the Town of Windsor system, as listed below

• All "public buildings" on lots that front on highways where a Town water main or sewer exists along any part of the frontage, or where a Town water main or sewer is located within 100 feet of the lot frontage.
• All single family residences and accessory structures on lots that front on highways where a Town water main or sewer exists within 250 feet of the building.
• This requirement to connect does not apply to agricultural buildings on working farms.

Process – Applicants shall file applications for Authorization to Connect to the Town Water (note: not a "permit") and Permit to Connect to Town Sewer with the Department of Public Works at the Treatment Plant.

• Applications for each of the above, plus any supporting information packages, shall be available at the Zoning Office, the Wastewater Plant, and at the office of the Town Administrator.
• Fees – A $50.00 application, review and field visit fee shall be collectible for each "Authorization to Connect to the Town Water System" and each "Permit to Connect to Town Sewer", or a $75.00 fee for combined water and sewer filed concurrently for the same property, for the for each "unit" of sewer or water. Recording fees of $7.00 per page shall also be due at the time the permit is approved. This fee is in addition to any connection or capacity charges that may be required under the Water and Sewer regulations/ordinances. Re-inspection that is required by failure to follow the approved permit or authorization will be charged at $50.00 per hour, minimum of $25.00.

This 23rd day of October, 2001 at Windsor by the Selectboard.