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1. Have you done an audit of the department to review potential inequities as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion?
2. What is the breakdown of staff in the Lexington Police Department by rank? What is the diversity makeup of the Department?
3. Does Town Counsel have the DEI expertise to recognize policies that might have unintended consequences for historically marginalized people? Specific expertise is needed for many DEI policy issues.
4. How do the racial demographics of the Lexington Police match up with Lexington's racial demographics? If they do not match up very well, what are the hiring goals for the future?
5. What are we doing to retain a diverse workforce?

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1. What is the extent of your training on LGBTQ+ issues?
2. Does the design of the new police station take non-binary people into consideration?

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1. Does the Lexington Police Department have a protocol for addressing cases which involve run away teenagers or cases where child abuse may have been involved?
2. How does a police officer make a decision on whether a vehicle should be stopped to question the driver?
3. How are officers trained on making motor vehicle stops?
4. What methods do you have for formally documenting complaints?
5. How are calls for domestic disputes or drug/alcohol use/overdose handled?
6. What can’t we know, due to protecting privacy (as is appropriate)? How is that overseen?
7. How do Town Departments like the Police, Fire, and Human Services departments work together?
8. How often are firearms used by officers?
9. What are the Lexington Police Department's policies on use of lethal force and less than lethal force?
10. Policies are important - but how can you be confident that the policies are being respected?
11. Can you please explain how undercover police officers and vehicles are used in Lexington?
12. What weapons do police officers carry?
13. How are video cameras used in Lexington, such as body cameras or police cruiser dashboard cameras?
14. Is it possible that Lexington Police Officers could have body cameras in the future?
15. How are school resource officers used? Are they an effective tool in our school system?
16. Is there a quota system in place for the number of tickets officers must write?

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1. How is racial profiling defined in Lexington?
2. What Methodologies Do Lexington Police Use – in Training and in Practice – to Recognize and Avoid Racial Profiling?
3. How are suspected incidents of police intimidation handled?
4. Is there anything town leaders can do to make it safe and comfortable for the groups to come forward with concerns or complaints about being profiled, without fear of negative repercussions?
5. When residents report that they do not feel they are treated equally - how do staff respond?

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1. When will the 2021-1 Special Town Meeting be held?

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1. Since the entire Westview project is being re-bid, what is the estimated Construction cost-reduction by reducing the project by one full garage bay?
2. Does that $90,000 include the savings from the financed debt? Or is this project now financed with cash?
3. Has the Town considered a pre-engineered solution for the Westview Cemetery building to remain in budget as was done for the Old Res bathhouse?
4. Will the DPW have enough storage between its main facility on Bedford Street and $4 million facility at Westview to accommodate its operational needs?
5. Is the total cost of $5.5 million for the Westview Cemetery Building accurate?
6. Does the Facilities Department now see that the Center Bathroom project can be done substantially cheaper as a result?
7. Now that we are coming out of the pandemic, why not just re-bid the project again in January with the original budget when firms are more likely to bid the work within our budget?

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1. If built as proposed would this address the proponents' most urgent preservation concerns?

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1. Is the intent to ban all gas mowers with this Motion?
2. Without a list of what is compliant, how are those charged with monitoring compliance going to perform their duty and who are they?
3. Are homeowners who chooses to do their own yard work with one piece of equipment at a time somehow disproportionally restricted?
4. Should the motion address multiple pieces of equipment?
5. What outreach has been done to landscapers servicing Lexington residents and if their feedback on the impact / cost to their business has been recorded or quantified and could be shared?
6. Also, I am wondering if there is any information available on the number of residents that do not use a landscaping service and how many of them own gas-powered leaf blowers?

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1. Would this definition change allow people to share their home with any number of unrelated individuals?
2. How can we limit capacity of dwellings in town?
3. What is the meaning of a single-family home if there is no requirement for a 'single family', technically multiple families could share a home as a household?
4. Any ways to deal with the above issues while protecting DEI goals?

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1. Is an article planned for the 2022 ATM to address residential development on Hartwell Avenue?

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1. Aside from the desirability of Lexington, are there more details that can be shared regarding the demand for lab space in Lexington and what impact passage of the Article may have?
2. Are there clean energy zoning requirements / incentives in place for the areas where the buildings cited as industry best practices are located?
3. The presentation slides mentions that "multiple" applications for new development on Hartwell have been submitted. If it passes, would Article 17 apply to these applications?
4. Do you know how many applications there currently are and if any would expect to be withdrawn?

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1. When do I have to file an accident report?
2. Where can I obtain an accident report form?
3. How long do I have to file an accident report?
4. Where do I file my accident report?
5. What kind of information should I retrieve from the other operator if I'm in an accident?

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1. How does the Assessors’ Office determine the value of my house?
2. What does 100% of full and fair cash value mean?
3. How is Mass Appraisal different from a Fee Appraisal?
4. What is the basis for determining residential property values?
5. Why do land values change at different rates from building values?
6. Who verifies that the assessing model used by the Town and the resulting property values are accurate?
7. How may I contest my assessed value if I think it is too high?
8. Why should I let the Town Assessing Department in my house for an inspection?
9. How are Real Estate taxes calculated?
10. Why can the town raise my taxes by more than the 2 1/2% limit prescribed by Proposition 2 1/2?
11. What if I cannot afford to pay my Real Estate taxes?

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1. What is the definition of a microenterprise business?
2. For microenterprises, what is the date of the “count” of number of employees?
3. What is LMI and what are the requirements for this grant?
4. How do I find out what the AMI is for where I live?
5. If there are multiple owners, do all need to meet LMI requirements in order to be eligible or does just one need to be eligible?
6. How long does a business have to be open to qualify for this grant?
7. How much money can one business apply for?
8. What documents will I need to submit with the application?
9. How is “currently in operation” defined?
10. Can businesses buy equipment with grant funding?
11. Are home-based businesses eligible?
12. Can the funds be used to assist a business owner with making payments on a loan that they received prior to the start of the pandemic, even if it’s for an equipment purchase?
13. How do I apply? What are the next steps?

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1. What are the limits of the project?
2. Are the roadways adjacent to the Battle Green part of the same project?
3. Has the Woburn Street / Massachusetts Avenue intersection been removed from this project?
4. Has the redesign followed the recommendation of the Center Streetscape Ad Hoc Committee Report?
5. What is the schedule for the project?
6. How long will construction take?
7. I directly abut the project with my business, how will I be informed of the construction impacts and progression?

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1. Who provides the CodeRED service? Is the company reputable?
2. What if I move and need to stop receiving CodeRED notices?
3. Who can help me to enter additional contact information into CodeRED?
4. Should I password protect my CodeRED phone information?
5. What if someone uses my address, and does not live with me?
6. How can I be sure that my personal information and contact information in the CodeRED system are kept private?
7. Can I choose not to receive CodeRED messages?
8. Can I arrange to have CodeRED call my place of business?
9. How do I sign up for CodeRED?
10. Do I have to pay a fee for the CodeRED emergency communications service?
11. How will I receive emergency notifications if the power goes out?
12. Why do I need CodeRED when I have radio and television to keep me informed?
13. Will I constantly receive phone calls from the CodeRED system?
14. What is CodeRED and why is it important to me?

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1. What statistics does the Lexington Police Department keep on race and other demographics of people that are stopped by Lexington police?
2. Do you have any statistics on motor vehicle stops and citations given to people of color?
3. Can you provide data on the number of traffic stops that occur on a daily basis?
4. When was the last time a police officer discharged their weapon in Lexington?
5. How many complaints have been filed against the Lexington Police in the last 5 years, and what is the status of those complaints?
6. How will the Lexington police change its data collection or other practices to respond to the recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision changing the standard relating to racial profiling?

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1. Why do homes have to be inspected for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors?
2. What steps should I follow for safe evacuation of my home?
3. Can I burn brush in Lexington?
4. Who should I contact with questions about my ambulance bill?

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1. Do Town buildings have public WiFi?
2. Do Town buildings have PCs available for public use?
3. Do Town building meeting rooms have projectors?
4. Does the Town have laptops that the public can borrow?
5. What accessibility technology does the Town have?
6. When is IT staff available to help set up a meeting?

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1. I am 16 1/2 years old and I heard that there is a law that requires driver training before I can get my driver's license. What does the law require?
2. I am almost 16. Can I obtain my "Junior Operator's License" when I turn 16?
3. I heard that a new driver with a JOL is not subject to the passenger restriction during the times when he is driving his friends to and from high school in a car pool. Is this true?
4. The back of my JOL says that "passenger restriction may apply if under 18." How will a police officer who stops me know if I am subject to the restriction?
5. What is the penalty if I get caught without my parent in the car?
6. Will I definitely be cited for violating the restriction if I am seen driving at 12:15 am?
7. I work all day and I will probably not have the time to supervise the additional 12 hours of required driving experience. Can my brother do it?

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1. When was the bylaw effective?
2. Which bamboo species are covered by the bylaw?
3. How can Phyllostachys be identified?
4. Is Japanese bamboo (Japanese knotweed; Fallopia japonica) considered running bamboo under the bylaw?
5. Is possession of running bamboo illegal?
6. Are any Phyllostachys or other species of bamboo considered invasive species in Massachusetts?
7. Who is the enforcement officer for the running bamboo bylaw?
8. What are the penalties included in the bylaw?
9. If I removed all the bamboo on my property before June 15 2021, and after June. 15 2021, the bamboo crosses the property line again, is my neighbor liable for the new spread?
10. If bamboo spreads further from mine to my neighbor’s property, could I be liable for allowing it to spread?
11. If my neighbor planted bamboo before the June 15, 2021 deadline, but it didn’t spread onto my property until after June 15 2021, are they liable?
12. Is the landowner with the bamboo legally required to either install containment or alternately remove the bamboo if it was planted before June 15, 2021?
13. Must containment or removal be accomplished on or before June 15, 2021?

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1. How do I ride Lexpress?
2. How do I get off the bus?
3. How do I know if service is interrupted or delayed?
4. Is there an app to track buses in real-time?
5. When does the Lexpress run?
6. How do I pay to use the bus?
7. Can I take my bike on Lexpress?
8. What do I do if I lose something on Lexpress?
9. Does Lexpress run on weekends?
10. Does Lexpress go to Alewife Station?
11. Does Lexpress go to the Burlington Mall?
12. Can I take a stroller, carriage, or cart on Lexpress?
13. Are Lexpress buses wheelchair accessible?
14. Are animals allowed on Lexpress?
15. Can I eat or drink on Lexpress?
16. May I take photos or video on Lexpress?

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1. Is there a waiting period from the date of application to the date the license is issued?
2. May we marry before the three days for good reason?
3. What is the cost of a marriage license?
4. Is a medical certificate required before a license can be issued?
5. What are the responsibilities of the member of the clergy or justice of the peace?

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1. How do officers handle mental-health related calls?

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1. What is a Parade Ambassador?
2. What are my responsibilities?
3. What is a Sponsor?
4. Can I get community service credit?
5. Is there a minimum age to march as a Parade Ambassador?
6. What should I wear?
7. What if I have questions?

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1. Given national movements like “Defund the Police”, how can Lexington prevent putting law enforcement, and our community, at risk?
2. I've seen people without face coverings at protests in Lexington; can the face covering order be enforced?
3. What's happened to the job title "Peace Officer", as opposed to "Police Officer", or "Law Enforcement Officer"?
4. What are the biggest strengths of policing in Lexington?
5. How do you feel about the stories people tell of their negative experiences? How are things different now?
6. How can we highlight some of the positive stories people have of policing in Lexington?
7. Can you explain the role of the Massachusetts State Police Union in terms of oversight and management? Do they stand in the way of improving things locally?
8. How are members of the Human Rights Committee held accountable, considering their relationship to the Police Department and how important their role is?
9. With regard to religion, has the department considered a chaplain, or does the Department already have a chaplain?
10. What are some of the efforts underway that help promote positive interactions with the police?
11. Can police officers enforce the Governor's mask mandate?

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1. How is advancement handled within the Department?
2. What types of exams do officers need to pass as part of the hiring process?
3. Do officers have the opportunity to advance within the Department?
4. What is the procedure for investigating candidates' background and any prior complaints against them before hiring?
5. What steps are we taking to recruit persons of color to the Lexington Police Department?
6. What is the status of Lexington's current police promotion lists?

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1. Do we have sufficient staffing numbers to ensure that police officers are not working too many hours per week and facing burn out?
2. What types and topics of training are required for a Lexington Police Officer? What types and topics of training required annually?
3. How does training rebalance into cultural competency training, practices for preventing racial profiling and de-escalation training?
4. Can you share any analysis of the effectiveness of each source and mode of training?
5. Given the recent national conversation on policing in the 21st Century, how does Lexington plan to evaluate policing methods to ensure we are leaders in this conversation and not followers?
6. How does civilian oversight work? Can you describe what a "weak chief" is?
7. Can you please describe accountability mechanisms for police behaviors that are outside what is expected?
8. Can you explain why we need detail officers for traffic? Can't flag holders be used instead?
9. Why do police detail officers carry their firearms with them?
10. What role do police unions play with regard to the Lexington Police Department?
11. What is approach of the Town and the Police towards membership of its police officers in police fraternities?
12. What are the Town/Police Department's views on qualified immunity for police officers?
13. With officers working overtime shifts, how do you work to prevent burnout?
14. Has there ever been a civilian board/committee that has worked with the Police Department?
15. How do you ensure that Department policies are followed and that there is a culture of accountability?

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1. What is Public Facilities and what responsibility does the department have within the town?

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1. Why do the police need a building of this size?
2. What is the cause of higher than expected costs?
3. Can you please detail the cost increase to taxpayers with median home value as well as $500K, $2M and $3M increments? Could you also please provide the revised timeline of estimated tax increases?
4. Why can’t you build the building with cheaper materials?
5. Are there spaces in the building that support community needs?
6. What is the de-escalation training room?
7. What is the height of the current Police Station and what is the height of the proposed Police Station?
8. How many floors will the proposed Police Station have?
9. Why does the project include indoor parking?
10. How many cars can be stored inside?
11. Is there infrastructure included for electric vehicle charging stations?
12. Does the project include an indoor firing range?
13. Is the building an all-electric design?
14. Is solar part of the building design?
15. Are there any restrooms that the public will be allowed to use?
16. Does the design include all-gender bathrooms?
17. How many officers is the building designed for?
18. What’s going to happen with the Hosmer House?
19. What is the large metal tower at the rear of the building?
20. What is the purpose of the communication antenna (tower)?
21. Does the communication antenna (tower) have to be located next to the Police Station?
22. While the requirements of the new station follow best practices for police station requirements, it has been asked about other new stations in the Massachusetts area. Their costs? Their size?

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1. How do I rent a school or town facility?

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1. Why are the lights on at night in school buildings?

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1. Is it possible to buy solar power for less than conventional electricity rates?
2. Do we have enough sunshine to make solar power practical in Massachusetts? Can solar power really make a difference?
3. I’m planning to install solar power at home and I was wondering if I could use the solar power system to run my home during a power outage.
4. A bylaw change was passed allowing Lexington to sign 20-year agreements for the purchase of solar power. What are the benefits of purchasing solar power this way and what are our next steps?

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1. Does Public Health provide flu shots?
2. How does a food establishment obtain or renew a food permit?
3. Will there be spraying for mosquitoes this year, when and where?
4. How can I dispose of Medical Waste or unwanted medication?
5. Are restaurant food handlers required to wear gloves?
6. Must employees wash hands after handling money?
7. I want to run a benefit dinner at my religious organization or club. Do I need a food permit from the Health Division? How do I apply?
8. My place of worship has a kitchen that has been inspected by the Board of Health. Why would we need a separate permit for special events?
9. Are certain people more susceptible to food borne illness?
10. What kind of water quality tests are required at semi public pool facilities?
11. How many times a year are semi public pools inspected?
12. Can children in diapers be allowed to swim in public pools?
13. Are there any specific requirements for pool operators or lifeguards?
14. Does the Town of Lexington license camps?
15. Is the camp prepared to handle medical emergencies?
16. Is there a certified lifeguard on duty during all aquatic activities at camp?
17. What are the procedures for dealing with serious injuries or illnesses at a camp?
18. What if my child needs to take medication during camping hours?
19. Is there a description of the camp's programs and activities?
20. What medical information should I supply to the camp?
21. What happens if my septic system fails inspection?
22. If my septic system fails, am I required to connect to the sewer system?
23. Does the Board of Health perform Title Five Inspections for homeowners?

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1. What should I do if I find a tick on myself or a friend?
2. Should I be treated after removing an attached tick?
3. After I remove an attached tick, what symptoms should I look for?
4. How can I prevent diseases spread by ticks?

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1. When does the training take place?
2. Do I need to register?
3. Who is the trainer?
4. Who is the sponsor?

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1. What is the difference between the federal Freedom of Information Act and the Massachusetts Public Records Law?
2. Who can help me with questions regarding the Public Records Law?
3. What is a “public record”?
4. How do I find the records I seek?
5. Does the Division of Public Records have my records?
6. Does the Public Records Law apply to court, legislative or federal records?
7. What is a Records Access Officer?
8. What is a records custodian?
9. How do I obtain copies of public records?
10. What do I do if my request is denied?
11. May I also go to court to seek public records?
12. My appeal was closed because I did not provide the necessary information. What do I do now?
13. What are the requirements for an RAO response to a public records request?
14. Does my request need to be in writing, and do I need to use a specific form?
15. May I appeal a failure to answer a question?
16. What is the cost for copies of public records; what about electronic records?
17. Is an RAO required to provide a fee estimate?
18. May the RAO charge a fee for search and segregation of records?
19. When must minutes of an open meeting be made available to the public?
20. Does a requester have greater right of access to records if he is the subject of a record?
21. Is a requester required to disclose the intended use of the public record requested?
22. How should an RAO respond to an unclear request?
23. What if a records custodian claims that it is not subject to the Public Records Law?
24. Are RAOs required to forward a request for records not in their possession?

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1. What restrictions am I subject to when operating on my Learner's Permit?
2. Will I have to be accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21 when I operate on my Learner's Permit?
3. I know that I must have a "clean driving record" for the 6 month period just before I take a road test. What would prevent me from having a "clean driving record?"
4. Will I be subject to the requirement that my driving record must be "clean" for the 6 month period immediately preceding the date of the road test?

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1. What Public Services are housed in the building?
2. What does the building's LEED Silver certification mean?
3. Are the building's restrooms available to Minuteman Bikeway users?
4. Can residents pick up sand & salt at the Public Services Building?
5. Why was the building needed and how much did it cost?
6. Who was Samuel Hadley and why was the building named for him?

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1. What is a stormwater utility?
2. What would the stormwater utility pay for?
3. How will the fee be calculated?
4. Can I reduce my fee?
5. Do other towns in Massachusetts have stormwater utilities?
6. How would Lexington’s Stormwater Management Program benefit me?
7. What are the fees for Fiscal Year 2025?
8. What is considered impervious area?
9. Will tax-exempt properties pay?
10. What if I believe my fee was incorrectly calculated?

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1. What is Therapeutic Recreation?
2. What is a CTRS?
3. What is Inclusion?
4. How do I request inclusion support?
5. Can I support my child in programs?
6. Can I bring an ABA therapist or Direct Support Professional to support my child in programs?
7. Why would the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist want to see my childs IEP or speak with their teacher?
8. What is Adaptive / Specialized Recreation?
9. What are activity adaptations?

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1. How do I find out where I vote?
2. How do I apply for a marriage license?
3. How do I obtain a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate?
4. Where do I register to vote?
5. What is the deadline for registering to vote in an election?

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1. How do I apply or a special event permit?
2. How do I obtain permission to use town property (i.e., Hastings Park, Depot Square, have a walk/run, block party, etc.)?
3. Where can I find information on Town of Lexington job opportunities?
4. How do I apply to become a member of a board or committee?

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1. My trees get really chewed up in the spring. What's going on?
2. Can I get the Town to plant a tree in front of my house?

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1. How do I obtain a copy of my DD214/discharge papers?
2. What is the definition of a Massachusetts veteran?
3. How do I enroll in the Veterans' Administration (VA) health care system?
4. How do I get a veteran identification card?
5. What is proper flag etiquette?
6. How do I dispose of an old or worn flag?
7. How do I apply for the veterans' financial assistance program?
8. How do I apply for aid and attendance?
9. How do I apply for VA Disability Compensation?

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1. What can I expect?
2. Will I be billed for this meter replacement?
3. What are the benefits of replacing water meters?
4. Why are we replacing water meters?
5. How do I schedule an appointment?

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1. What is considered a short term rental?
2. If I operate a short term rental, what do I need to know?