The Lancaster Sewer District was established in 1967 by a special act of the Massachusetts General Court, the Legislature. The act calls for the formation of a body government within the boundaries of the Town of Lancaster. This means that although the District occurs within the Boundaries of the Town of Lancaster it is completely separate from it. The District is essentially a completely separate government entity from the Town of Lancaster. The Districts governing authority, it's elected Commission, works with the Town of Lancaster to assure that mutual goals are met but the Commission has no authority over the Town nor does the Town have any authority over the Commission.

Utility districts of many sorts, such as sewer and water districts, are established in this way because it is thought that the essential utilities that they provide are typically too specialized to be rolled into a local government. Additionally, often the financial burden of establishing a utility district is too much to bear for a local government while special grants and loans are more readily available for a separate and new utility.

More Information:
The Commission
Administrative Organization
Wasterwater Treatment
District Boundaries and Service Area