MIDDLEBORO — Summer mandatory water restrictions are in place for Middleboro through Sept. 30, Town Manager James McGrail informed the community at the May 1 Select Board meeting.

The program allows odd-numbered properties to water outside on odd-numbered days and even-numbered addresses to water on even-numbered days.

Watering cannot be done to irrigate lawns and landscaping via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems; wash vehicles, except at commercial car washes or as needed for operator safety; was exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except as needed to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives, stucco, pavement or cement.

Permitted water uses include irrigation to establish a new lawn and new plantings during May and September; irrigation of public parks and recreational fields using automatic sprinklers outside the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ; and watering of lawns, gardens, flowers and ornamental plants with a hand-held hose outside the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

No restrictions are in place for watering for health and safety reasons; by regulation; to produce food or fiber; to maintain livestock and to meet the core function of a business, such as irrigation by plant nurseries to maintain stock. 

Violators are subject to a $50 fine for a first offense and $100 for each subsequent offense.