The Clancy Water & Sewer District board decided at its Feb. 26 meeting to reapproach the Clancy School District in April, in effort to gain access to the school’s private well and connect it to the pending public water system.
The Water & Sewer Board made its case to the school district on Feb. 14 for an agreement that would allow the Water and Sewer District to share water from the school’s well, but was met with concerns about potential costs and the risk of losing certification.
Regrouping two weeks later, the water board agreed to reiterate its commitment to providing the school with costless water utility, as well as its assumption of indefinite financial liability for the presently private system’s maintenance and repair.
To facilitate the agreement, it also agreed to cover the school district’s legal fees with any attorney it so chooses, and to approach the school with potential leasing or other revenue sharing arrangements in exchange for the establishment of shared water rights.
“The school board seemed to think they’d have to hire their own attorney, and we didn’t get a chance to say we’d pay for it if they think they need one,” said Clancy Water & Sewer Board member Bob Johnson. “We will! We’re just hoping to start the process.”
Should the school district decide to grant the Water & Sewer Board access to its well, the water district would still have to identify additional supply in order to meet the use requirements of the town. Identified potential wells, according to the board, include those of Chubby’s, a local eatery; The Clancy Mine, a copper mining operation that has not responded to the Board’s repeated attempts at contact; and The Legal Tender, a former Clancy restaurant presently undergoing a facility repurposing.
The Water & Sewer Board said it would also consider building its own well on Clancy School property. Clancy Water & Sewer is considering several sites for new well construction, which could be more carefully considered once matters with Clancy School are finalized.
