The town of Surry is exploring whether to add water and sewer service for residents as it seeks ways to expand housing and commercial development. Its population of roughly 1,700 is currently served by well water, but Surry officials have launched preliminary talks with neighboring Ellsworth about the idea of connecting their town to the city’s sewer system. “If there was public water [and] sewer, it would make building on a smaller footprint more possible.” It’s not the only small town in close proximity to Maine’s tourist industry that is pushing to build more housing. Surry has been aware it may need to connect to a sewer and water system for years.