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Jackson council approves amendment adding town to Flat Creek thaw-well easement
Summary
The Town of Jackson will be added as a grantee to an existing thaw-well easement along Flat Creek so the town can own a new thaw well constructed with grant funds; council approved the easement amendment unanimously and discussed maintenance and long-term costs.
The Jackson Town Council on March 3 voted unanimously to approve a first amendment to a thaw-well easement that will add the Town of Jackson as a grantee to an existing easement held by the Flat Creek Watershed Improvement District.
The amendment allows the town to accept ownership of a new thaw well that the watershed district will construct with a $500,000 award, while the Flat Creek Watershed Improvement District will pay electrical costs for the new unit. Council approved the amendment on a motion by Councilwoman Sperry, seconded by Councilwoman Schechter.
Town staff described the amendment as limited to granting the town rights to install, operate and maintain the thaw well and to perform related vegetation and brush removal within the easement area. Staff said the town already owns three thaw wells and would add the new well to its portfolio. The town will own the well after construction and be responsible for long-term maintenance, replacement costs and DEQ reporting and testing tied to the facility.
Johnny Zim, assistant public works director, told the council thaw wells have performed well in Flat Creek and that the district studied the creek and validated the technology. He said the earliest thaw wells were installed around 1999–2000 and generally require little maintenance. Town staff estimated about $35,000 in one-time costs to add the SCADA/computer control system for the new unit and said ongoing costs will be marginal because the town already operates multiple thaw wells.
Council members pressed staff about lifecycle and maintenance. Zim said the wells typically last many decades, with occasional pump work and periodic technical maintenance tied to the newer computer control systems. Staff said the conservation district and homeowners association have cooperated on the draft amendment and that a separate license agreement will cover temporary construction access.
There was no public comment on the item. After discussion, the council approved the easement amendment unanimously.
The amendment does not transfer construction funding to the town; the watershed district will pay construction costs and electrical operating costs while the town assumes ongoing ownership and regulatory obligations upon completion.
