Fire Chief advocates clearer requirements for water cisterns in residential developments

Bedford's Planning Board is taking steps to clarify regulations regarding fire cistern requirements for new developments. During the meeting on April 29, 2024, the fire chief raised concerns about the existing language in the town's regulations, which currently allows for interpretation regarding when a water cistern is necessary for fire protection.

The existing guidelines state that developments located more than 1,200 feet from a public water supply may need to install a fire cistern, based on the fire chief's recommendation. However, this has led to confusion, particularly for smaller residential subdivisions, which can face significant costs—up to $150,000—for installing these cisterns.

To address this issue, the fire chief proposed tightening the language to specify that only new developments with more than three lots outside the public water supply would be required to provide a fire cistern. This change aims to reduce the burden on smaller projects while ensuring adequate fire protection measures are in place.

The Planning Board is expected to review and potentially adopt this proposed language, which would help clarify the requirements for developers and streamline the approval process for smaller subdivisions. This adjustment reflects the board's commitment to balancing community safety with the practical needs of development in Bedford.