Hennessey Board of Trustees members discussed updating the town’s zoning plan at its meeting last Tuesday night.

“The town is still using a 1973 zoning plan,” said Hennessey Town Administrator Tiffany Tillman.

“You don’t even have a digital map,” added Susmita Som with the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority of Enid.

Tillman held up a three-ring binder where the information was kept, then later brought out a large scale zoning map.

NODA could update the plan for $30,000, said Som, who is the comprehensive community planner for NODA. It’s a two or three-year process.

Tillman asked Som to draw up a contract for consideration at the next board meeting.

Annexation suggested by NODA rep

Som suggested the town might want to annex more land before the update is done and pointed out the miles of land annexed by Waukomis.

“We’re already providing water south of town (outside the town limits),” said Public Works Director Curtis Turner.

The town’s only requirement is to provide water, fire hydrants and fi re department service on annexed property, he said.

Surrounded by farm land

Trustee Wes Hardin said the town is locked in because it’s surrounded by farm land that people don’t want to sell.

“Most people say they don’t want to sell, but everyone has a price,” said Tillman.

“The whole town should know what you’re doing,” said Som, then asked if the town has an industrial park.

“No,” said Tillman.

Som said it would be good to plan for one.

Water lines southeast of town

The board later voted to spend $7,205 on a plan to install water lines on west Conoco Road past the railroad tracks. The engineering plans by The Cowan Group will cost $4,500; DEQ permit application and fees, $450, and the Union Pacifi c crossing application fee, $755.

Trustee Keith Meek said it will take a long time to get the railroad permit approved.

Turner said the problem is that it will cost about $80,000 to put in the line.

“There’s no doubt we want to do it, but do we want to do it right now?” he asked.

Jack Quirk, from the audience, said he couldn’t believe there wasn’t a water line to the Conoco plant years ago.

“There was a two-inch line,” said Turner, “but we’ve never been able to fi nd it.”

The request to provide an eight-inch water line into the town’s existing six-inch line was made by Ivan Cabral, who owns 25 acres in that area. He plans to put in an event center and dance studio, Tillman said.

Other Action

The board also voted:

• To hire Kyle Watkins at $9 an hour as a public works department laborer after Turner recommended him in the open meeting and said there was no need for an executive session. He also said he had an employee retiring this month.

• To purchase a 2020 Chevrolet extended cab pickup-truck with two-wheel drive on a state bid from Carter Chevrolet for $27,500. The truck will be used in the street department. Meek asked when the last one was purchased and was told 2011. They also have 2008 and 2009 trucks.