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, MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CTTY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> February 9,2015 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (7. #15-3714 CREATE SECTION 14142 WELLHEAD PROTECTION ORDINANCE— <br /> ORDINANCE NO. 135 continue� <br /> Consulting City Engineer Martini stated one thing to consider is the financial piece of expanding the City <br /> infrastructure. Martini stated it would be feasible to have that infrastructure if everyone hooks up. <br /> Martini stated the City makes assumptions as to how many users there will be when planning the <br /> infrastructure. Martini stated the property owner would not need to hook up now if they have a <br /> functioning well but that at some point in the future they will have to if their well fails. <br /> Walsh stated a resident can have a fair amount of money invested into a well. <br /> McMillan stated in general most people want to hook up to city water and that the important piece of the <br /> City Ordinance is wellhead protection to prevent contaminating city water and identify the areas that <br /> impact the City's municipal water and the aquafer. <br /> Walsh stated the regulations for a new well are very specific and that if a well fails a person has to fill <br /> them with cement and cap them. Walsh stated in his view this City Ordinance is taking away someone's <br /> rights to drill a new well. <br /> Printup stated his hang up is the idea of forcing someone to do it. Printup asked if there is a provision in <br /> the City Ordinance regarding a supplemental well. <br /> Edwards stated that is another exemption. Edwards stated if the municipal water supply cannot provide <br /> the adequate amount of flow or pressure for whatever that need was,then there would be an exception to <br /> allow them to a supplemental well. <br /> Council Member Cornick asked what the approximate hookup cost would be in general and what costs <br /> are associated with capping a well. <br /> Walsh stated to his knowledge it cost about$1,000 to cap a well five yeazs ago because it has to be <br /> certified and there are a limited number of companies that can do it. <br /> Edwards said the State does have a grant program as part of the Wellhead Protection Program for capping <br /> old wells. Edwards indicated he is not exactly sure what the City's hookup charges are but that it depends <br /> on the length of the line. <br /> Cornick asked if it is more than$5,000 to hook up. <br /> Martini stated it potentially could be and that it is site specific. Martini stated providing a shutoff and a <br /> service line could make it cost over$5,000. <br /> Cornick asked if there would be any sources of relief for a homeowner who had to hook up but did not <br /> have the money for it. <br /> Mattick stated one option would be for the City to assess the property if it is for a public project but that <br /> typically the City does not act as a bank for private projects. <br /> Page 11 of 26 <br />