By Patricia Roy

If you were hoping to hook up a new residential sewer line sometime in the next six months, you probably think the sewer moratorium stinks.

The moratorium comes with the approval of the Select Board and Board of Health. Town Manager Michael Herbert said the decision was made with the existing infrastructure in mind along with several private projects that have already been approved by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

“I am concerned about the impact any additional private development projects will have on our system,” said Herbert. “This six month moratorium will allow us to develop a better data set to consider the most proper course of action for our water/sewer infrastructure going forward.”

It should be noted that the moratorium does not affect connections for single-family homes or commercial properties throughout the town.

There have been several moratoriums in years past, and last year the town adjusted its sewer infrastructure by varying the flow between the Chestnut Street and Brackett Road pump stations.

The year has been unusually dry one, making it difficult to assess the impact that varying the flow has had on the sewer system, especially at peak flow periods.