The only reason for installing two valves is that if the meter needs to be replaced, it will be easier to shut off the water in a particular pipe than to shut off the water throughout the house. Although if you live in a private house, then I do not think that this will be critical for you. The fact that the counter is leaking is very bad. Contact the water company as soon as possible so they can fix it. Only I advise you to "embellish" the whole situation. I recently had a similar situation, but it was not the meter that was leaking, but the valve that is located after it. When I called for the first time, I was told that the plumber would arrive within a week ... He arrived only two weeks later and said that I should buy a new valve myself. (Shouldn't they be doing this ??) I had to look for a quality valve manufacturer usa, since I had never done this before. After that, he replaced the old valve, demanded $ 50 and left ... After this situation, I was thinking about changing the company, but unfortunately I have not yet found an alternative