Rules & Procedures Meeting - 4/03/2026

The Town of Bridgewater, MA held a Rules & Procedures meeting on April 3, 2026, primarily discussing proposed amendments to the town's business ethics ordinance and a new ordinance regarding water supply capacity and development. The council debated the need for clearer documentation of changes to the business ethics ordinance, ultimately deciding to hold the matter at the committee level to allow for better tracking of amendments. The bulk of the meeting focused on the water supply ordinance, which aims to establish firm capacity limits for water usage to prevent overextension of the town's water resources. Council members discussed the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, including requiring water impact studies for development projects and ensuring that planning and zoning boards cannot approve projects without considering water availability. They also emphasized the importance of keeping the town council informed about water impact studies and suggested creating an ad hoc committee to oversee water resource planning. Legal review of the ordinance was noted, and the council acknowledged the challenges of balancing development with water supply constraints, including potential legal risks associated with moratoriums. No votes were taken to adopt the ordinances during this meeting, but there was consensus to continue refining the water supply ordinance and to improve transparency and accountability in water resource management.