Tooele mayor: first test well drilling underway; urges residents to stay clear of fires after house blaze; highlights local economic growth

Tooele’s mayor told the City Council Aug. 6 that the city has started drilling its first test well as part of efforts to identify a viable local water source, reported a residential fire that destroyed two homes and pressed residents not to impede first responders, and highlighted recent media coverage of local economic development. The mayor said the city has two test wells planned and that drilling of the first well is underway. “We hope within about 3, 4 weeks we’ll have results back to you to let you know if it’s a viable water source so that we can begin drilling the regular well,” the mayor said. The mayor also described a large house fire on the northwest side of town in which two residents lost their homes and all belongings. He said the State Fire Marshal is investigating and praised local law enforcement and the volunteer fire department for their response. “Please, please respect our first responders, our police, and our fire. Lives depend on it,” the mayor said, adding that crowding and motorists trying to view the blaze impeded emergency access. On economic development, the mayor noted a recent KSL television report that featured Tooele and specifically mentioned Leitner Poma’s local manufacturing expansion. The mayor said Leitner Poma has hired 80 employees with plans to reach about 130 and that state incentives, not local property‑tax incentives, supported part of that expansion. No formal council action followed the mayor’s report; the items were informational updates provided to council members.