Canton residents who want a say in how the town regulates water service and sewer use have until a Nov. 10 Select Board meeting to show up and speak.

The board will hold two continued public hearings that evening, starting at or after 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall's Salah Meeting Room, 801 Washington St. One hearing covers proposed amendments to Canton's water regulations and fee schedule. The other addresses changes to the town's sewer use rules and regulations, according to the town's public hearings page.

The hearings were originally opened at an earlier Select Board meeting and continued to Nov. 10 to allow more public review. The town has not identified the original hearing date.

What's in the water regulations

The October 2026 draft of Canton's water rules, regulations and fee schedule runs eight articles and an appendix. It governs meter requirements, service pipe standards, charges and fines.

Among the fee schedule provisions: new buildings and existing buildings adding units would pay a $2,000-per-unit system use fee. Existing buildings that need a cut, cap and re-tap would pay $500 per unit. A 5/8-inch meter costs $190; one with a radio reader costs $380.

Service charges range from $35 to turn water on or off during regular hours to $100 after hours. A missed meter-replacement appointment carries a $50 fee. Manual meter reads cost $100 for meters one inch or smaller and $700 for larger meters.

Fines in the draft include $200 for tampering with a meter, $300 for unauthorized hydrant use and $300 for failing to restrict water use when ordered. Unpaid water and sewer bills would be charged 14% annual interest after 30 days. The town can place a lien on properties with overdue balances.

The draft also requires homeowners to upgrade water service lines if they add a dwelling unit, increase wastewater discharge, or alter habitable space by 1,000 square feet or more.

The specific per-unit water consumption rates proposed in the draft were not available for review.

Sewer document not yet reviewed

The proposed sewer use rules and regulations, also dated October 2026, were not available for review. Residents can find the document linked on the town's public hearings page.

Rate discussions already underway

Canton's Water and Sewer Rate Policy Committee met Sept. 23 to discuss potential water and sewer rates for fiscal year 2028, according to the committee's meeting agenda. That session also covered a finance update and committee reorganization.

The five-member Select Board is chaired by Susan M. Harrington. The board's Oct. 20 agenda lists the Nov. 10 session as its next scheduled meeting. Interim Town Administrator Jennifer N. Kemalian serves the board.

Residents who cannot attend can review both draft documents on the town's public hearings page before the Nov. 10 hearing.