SENATE, No. 1186

By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1186) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation relative to the Wareham fire district. Municipalities and Regional Government.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.


AN ACT relative to the Wareham fire district

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.   The Wareham Fire District in the town of Wareham is granted an exclusive right, privilege, and franchise to supply water for extinguishing fires and for domestic, manufacturing, and other purposes to the inhabitants of Wareham within said district’s territory established by Chapter 106 of the Acts of 2000.  No other individual, corporation, municipality, district, or entity, without limitation, may hereafter create or operate a public water system within the territory of said Wareham Fire District, or supply water to the inhabitants of Wareham within said district’s territory other than for personal domestic use when otherwise permitted.

SECTION 2.   The Wareham Fire District may supply water for extinguishing fires and for domestic, manufacturing, and other purposes to individuals, corporations, municipalities, districts, and other entities, without limitation, outside of said district’s territory established by Chapter 106 of the Acts of 2000.

SECTION 3.   The Wareham Fire District may make such contracts as may be agreed upon with individuals, corporations, municipalities, districts, and other entities for supplying water outside of said district’s territory, and may extend its pipes for that purpose, under the direction of the selectmen of the town or mayor of the city where the pipes are to be located, through the streets and highways of towns and cities lying outside the territory of said district.  Said district may fix and collect rates for the use of such water, and may discontinue and shut off the water for the non-payment thereof and for violation of the terms of any contract made in accordance with this section.

SECTION 4.   Notwithstanding Sections 2 and 3 of this Act, the Wareham Fire District may not supply water outside its territory when doing so impairs said district’s ability to provide adequate supply of water for extinguishing fires and for domestic, manufacturing, and other purposes to itself or the inhabitants of Wareham within said district’s territory.

SECTION 5.   Specific statutory powers granted to the Wareham Fire District by Chapter 178 of the Acts of 1907 and Chapter 106 of the Acts of 2000 and not specifically mentioned in this Act are hereby expanded to the extent necessary to permit said district to supply water outside of its territory in accordance with the provisions of this Act.