FARMINGTON -- A project to drill for a new city well will move ahead, despite some second thoughts among city officials after hearing from local residents.
City council members voted 4-0 to uphold authorization of plans to drill for a new city well on South Main Street, adjacent to the community center. It is the second vote this summer to move ahead with the project, but came after some area residents met with city leaders to voice concerns about the project.
Four neighbors met with City Manager Max Forbush, City Engineer Paul Hirst and Water Superintendent Larry Famuliner on Aug. 10 to echo concerns about potential noise from the well exploration and to suggest city officials look elsewhere.
"If there's a better place to put it, we'd be happy about that," Brad Bornemeier told city leaders.
He said noise from the 24-hour operation is a major concern, and he also worried that vibration from the drilling could affect the foundation of his older home.
"This used to be a nice section of Main Street to live on but for whatever reason it appears Farmington City unintentionally destroyed that," Bornemeier wrote in a letter to council members.
City officials are taking steps to try to mitigate the potential noise issue, associated with the drilling project.
The driller will be required to enclose the project with 20-foot-tall sound barriers, and there also is some discussion about city leaders evaluating the impact of the project on the neighborhood, once the exploration is done.
One neighbor had suggested the city should waive water fees for affected residents for a year.
The cost of a new well is expected to range from $1.2 million to $1.4 million, according to Hirst.
The city's water system currently employs three wells, and the addition of another well is expected to accommodate some of the city's potential growth on the west side, plus provide for commercial growth at Station Park.
Money for the project would come from water impact fees, Forbush said.
Mayor Scott Harbertson said city officials spent a lot of time evaluating possible locations for the well, with the least impact to residents, and he said the community center site is the best location available.
"It doesn't matter where we go. Somebody is going to say 'not in my back yard.'" Harbertson said.
Hirst said the project can be broken down into three phases: site investigations, exploratory drilling and production well construction, and well house design and construction. Engineering fees for the project are estimated to be approximately $232,000.
Councilman Rick Dutson said he shared residents' concerns about the noise and potential distractions, but said the project is important to the city's future.
"We have to drill somewhere," Dutson said.
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