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Bicknell seeks state sign-off on new well, to pay $4,000 for water-plan update to preserve exemption
Summary
Councilors said the new well could be turned on once the state signs off; they agreed the town likely needs to spend about $4,000 to update its culinary water plan by June to secure an exemption from metering for secondary water. Members also agreed to place the WUI/water ordinance on the next agenda for a vote.
Mayor Noreen said the town has pressed state officials to finish sign-off on the new well and that the only remaining step may be the state signature on source protection paperwork. "We need the water. We need this project wrapped up," she said, urging the state to push approvals so the town can begin using the new source.
Councilors discussed an exemption process for secondary irrigation water. Staff advised the town must provide an updated culinary/irrigation water plan as part of the exemption application and that preparing the plan would cost about $4,000; a staff member said the town would need the update submitted by June. Members indicated they were inclined to pay for the update rather than install meters on secondary lines.
Separately, a member who reviewed the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) materials said the county receives reimbursement for WUI work but the town faces annual reporting requirements to maintain coverage. The council agreed to place the WUI item and the water ordinance on the next meeting agenda for formal action, with the expectation that the state's guidance and any associated costs will be clarified prior to a vote.
Members also raised problems with new meter-reading software after switching vendors; staff said readings have been wrong in some instances and the town will follow up with the vendor to reconcile discrepancies. The council instructed staff to continue work on the exemption, verify the well sign-off with state contacts and report back with a recommended path and cost estimates.
