New Water Brings End To Development Moratorium

"After operating under a six-month building moratorium because of a water shortage, Westminster officials said yesterday they expect to sign an agreement with the state next week that will allow a limited amount of development to move forward in the Carroll County seat."

"The agreement will allocate an additional 60,000 gallons a day to Westminster, allowing for some building permits to be approved, Mayor Thomas K. Ferguson said."

"New state guidelines determined in September that Westminster could not meet its water demand during a drought and faced a deficit of up to 900,000 gallons a day, officials said."

"Environmental officials will not sign off on new building permits until a municipality can demonstrate that it can meet the water demand created by development."