BETHESDA-The village of Bethesda is again entertaining the idea of selling water for use by the drilling industry. At Thursday's village council meeting, Raymond Longendyke of Envirotect spoke on behalf of Energy Construction Management, a company from the Cambridge area that transports water.
Longendyke said the going rate is about $3 per 1000 gallons, but was agreeable to $5 per 1000 gallons. He said the tankers are semi-trucks that hold 5,400 gallons and that some fracking sites will see 110 trucks per day. Council members were encouraged to hear that ECM has a good record for repairing damages to roads and property and that they would pay the town an initial sum up front to be applied to the first invoices. Bethesda is in the process of exploring options for water sales.
Grant applications from the town are being prepared for submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency through Burgess and Niple, the engineering firm working on the water system project.
Article Photos
LISTENING to a presentation on water sales contracts at Thursday’s meeting of Bethesda Village Council are, from left:?Village Administrator Tim Zdanski, Councilmen Paul Fitch and Rod Miller.
T-L Photo/GLYNIS VALENTI
Council voted to continue with its health insurance plan, though rates have increased by 12.5 percent. It will cost the village an additional $4,388. "We have no choice but to pay it," said Councilman Brian Bee. "We may as well get it over with and move on."
Fiscal Officer Ricky Burkhead Jr. reported that he received a bill for the annual audit totaling $4,600. He said that since Bethesda has a good record over the last few years, the town qualified for a less rigorous version of the audit. This saved the village approximately $8,000.
Councilman Rod Miller gave an update on upcoming events. The annual Easter egg hunt will be held at the park Saturday, April 7, at 1 p.m. The eggs are ready for hiding, and council decided to use registration raffle tickets for the children's bikes. Miller said that Wal-mart is willing to donate two of the six bikes, and the remaining four would cost around $300. Council decided to again give away a boy's bike and a girl's bike in three age categories.
He is also working on the summer hog roast which last year sold out, serving 300 meals. He's going to be contacting 32 Bethesda area businesses and plans to try to keep purchases local. Miller distributed flyers about the Chautauqua Days 5K Run and Walk to be held at Epworth Memorial Park Saturday, July 14, at 8 a.m. Anyone interested in registering can do so online at www.TheRaceDeal.com.
At the request of Councilman Dirk Davis, members formed a volunteer committee to redraft the town fishing permit. Davis, Mayor Marty Lucas and Councilman Paul Fitch will tighten up the permit rules and enforcement. Council also agreed to allot $2,000 to re-stock the pond with fish, probably from state hatcheries. Before the purchase, however, Burkhead requested specific information on what types of fish and how many to make sure the project will be viable.
The street department is looking at purchasing some new equipment and will apply for grant money to fund it. Councilman David Wines also noted that the backhoe needs four new tires. One vendor's quote totals $1,655, and council approved the purchase.
Building permits were approved for Emil Kittel for a garage and Elizabeth Smith for a fence. Meeting minutes and bills to be paid were approved.
Council scheduled a police and fire committee meeting for April 9 at 6 p.m. and a finance committee meeting for April 23 at 6 p.m. The next Bethesda Village Council meeting will be held Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
Valenti can be reached at gvalenti@timesleaderonline.com.
