Meter Installations

General Requirements (All Meters)
  1. All service lines must be metered before water will be turned on by the Water Division. The only exception will be dedicated lines servicing fire sprinkler systems.
  2. Solder connections are not allowed until after the primary meter effluent tail fitting.
  3. Backflow devices and pressure regulating equipment will not be allowed before the meter effluent valve.
  4. All meters must be compatible with the town’s existing metering system.
  5. All meters must read in cubic feet.
  6. All remote readers will be installed near a driveway, or if not feasible, near a walkway. In cases of multiple touchpads, all touchpads will be grouped together on the outside of the building.
  7. All meters will be installed horizontally.
  8. The meter will be at least 1 foot off the floor but not more than 4 feet. Clearance to the wall will be no less than 4 inches.
  9. There must be a valve before and after the meter; ball valves may be used.
  10. All meters must be physically accessible within the building.
  11. Pit installations and garage installations will not be allowed.
  12. The Water Division will determined the size meter to be used.
View a printable version of the Water Meter Installation Requirements. For meter installation help, view the Meter Installation Diagram.

Sealing of Meters
When installation of the meter(s) has been completed, contact the following to have the meter sealed and recorded:
  • Primary Meter only contact Water Billing Office 978-671-0954
  • Primary and Secondary Meters contact Water Billing Office 978-671-0954
  • Secondary Meter only contact Water Billing Office 978-671-0954
Primary Meters
Primary Meters must have an electrical bypass with copper wiring (minimum 6 gauge). Primary Meters must be located as close as practical to the point where the service line enters the building.

Secondary Meters
The sewer use charge is based on water consumption as measured by the primary meter. In order to obtain an abatement for non-sewered use of water (lawn sprinklers, etc.), the customer is required to meter at his/her own expense that fraction of water use which is not discharged into the sewer system. All such secondary meters will be installed and maintained at the customer’s expense.

Installation
You must make your own arrangements with a licensed plumber for the installation of a suitable meter. Both your primary and new secondary meter must be up to code and equipped with a remote reading device. The water passing through the secondary meter must have previously passed through the primary meter. The secondary meter may not be soldered to its fittings. Walls or the like must not obscure the plumbing from the secondary meter to the unsewered use.

The Meter Serviceman must inspect all secondary meter installations. Upon completion of the installation, the owner must contact the Meter Serviceman at 978-671-0954 for an inspection. There will be only one secondary meter allowed per each primary meter. The current meter system uses a Sensus SRII meter with the touchpad read system.