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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />February 9, 2015 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 12 of 26 <br /> <br />(7. #15-3714 CREATE SECTION 14-142 WELLHEAD PROTECTION ORDINANCE – <br />ORDINANCE NO. 135 continued) <br /> <br />McMillan asked whether the old well needs to be capped if a new well is drilled. <br /> <br />Martini indicated that is correct. <br /> <br />Walsh stated he knows people on the lake that are heating and cooling their entire house through their <br />well. <br /> <br />McMillan stated to her knowledge that is a separate piece. <br /> <br />Edwards stated in those situations they are not drawing ground water and are self-contained. <br /> <br />McMillan asked if there is any public comment regarding this item. <br /> <br />There was no public comment. <br /> <br />Printup stated he has a concern about the cost for a homeowner if they are forced to hook up to City <br />water. <br /> <br />Levang stated someone does not know how far down they will have to go with a new well, which is also <br />costly. <br /> <br />Printup stated that is a good point but that it is up to the homeowner to decide. Printup stated in his view <br />very few people would not want to hook up to city water. <br /> <br />Levang stated the City Ordinance is important because of the potential contamination issue and backing <br />up the City’s wellhead protection plan. <br /> <br />Edwards stated the principle behind the Wellhead Protection Plan is to protect the City’s water and that a <br />zone around each of the City’s wells has been identified. Edwards stated the issue with private wells has <br />to do with the fact that the more holes that go into the ground and into the aquifer, the more opportunity <br />for the aquifer to become contaminated. Edwards indicated this is just one of many items that make up <br />the City’s WHPP and that it is all about trying to keep contaminates out of the aquifers. <br /> <br />Walsh asked how many wells have contaminated the aquifer. Walsh stated in his view this is just a straw <br />man argument with no facts. <br /> <br />McMillan noted Spring Park is experiencing some contamination. <br /> <br />Edwards stated Spring Park has two of three wells that have become contaminated. <br /> <br />Walsh stated the cost for the residents on Green Trees to hook up to City water was $16,000 apiece. <br /> <br />Levang noted it was their choice in that situation.