Governor Signs Bill Authorizing North Reading/Andover Water Pact

BOSTON — Legislation that would allow North Reading to secure a long-term water supply contract with the town of Andover has been signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker.

House Bill 4552 authorizes the Board of Selectmen in North Reading and Andover to enter into a new inter-municipal agreement, under which the town of Andover will continue to supply potable water to the residents of North Reading for up to 99 years. This agreement would be subject to specific terms and conditions mutually agreed upon by the selectmen in both communities.

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) recently filed House Bill 4552 on behalf of North Reading. The bill was also co-sponsored by all three members of Andover’s legislative delegation, including Representatives James Lyons (R-Andover) and Frank Moran (D-Lawrence), and Senator Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

Andover currently provides potable water to North Reading, under an agreement that dates back to 1974. The existing agreement between the two towns was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2019, but was recently extended for another two years and is now due to expire on June 30, 2021.

Officials from both communities have been actively engaged in discussions for several months now in an attempt to negotiate a new deal.

“North Reading has been seeking a long-term solution for identifying a permanent water source, and this bill will allow the community to move forward with a plan that will meet the needs of the town’s residents for many years to come,” said Representative Jones.

“This new law builds on the long-standing relationship of water supply that has successfully existed for decades,” said Senator Tarr. “With terms available for up to 99 years, both communities will have the benefits that come from a stable, predictable relationship that provides quality drinking water for North Reading and fair compensation for Andover.”

House Bill 4552 was enacted by the House on June 6 and by the Senate on June 7. Governor Baker signed the bill into law on June 13 as Chapter 109 of the Acts of 2018.