The bathroom addition at the cemetery means water will be needed.

That’s why Hennessey trustees accepted a $9,795 estimate from Lang Well Drilling, Enid, to drill a water well up to 60 feet.

They took the action at their Thursday night meeting and all trustees were present: Mayor Clif Vogt, Vice Mayor Harold Shaw, Bert Gritz, David Jones and Randy Bohnstedt.

“If the water well is deeper than 60 feet, there will be an additional $55 a foot,” the estimate lists and “I do not believe we will be any deeper than 60 feet.”

“In the olden days there were wells there,” said Gritz, who also owns Cordry- Gritz Funeral Home. Then Gritz said, “But that area might be hard to find water now.”

“I feel like we’re gambling all of a sudden,” said Jones.

“We are,” said Gritz. There were also comments about possibly hitting oil.

Lang will get the permit and the town will handle the electrical work.

The only other bidder was H&E Water Wells, Fairview, for $14,326.98.

Before the board made deductions, Lang’s original bid was $11,500.

In addition to trustees, others at the meeting were Town Treasurer (and town hall office manager) Shelley Burch, Fire Chief Brandon Scott and visitor Mark Henry.

Fire Station Work & Chief’s Report

Trustees approved a $9,800 bid from Grade Work Construction, Edmond, to remove concrete on the south side of the fire station addition and north of the library.

The bid includes hauling off concrete and grading it to drain and install approximately 1,200 square feet of solid slab sod.

Tillman said it was the only bid, but had asked for a bid for another company.

Among the items Scott wrote in his report: • work continues on finishing flooring concrete work on the addition is almost complete; • still some tin work left

to finish; • actively pursuing pric- ing on furnishings for reporting room, meeting room and chief’s office; • cabinets have been in- stalled, but had some water damage so we’re waiting to see if some need to be replaced, and • plumbing fixtures scheduled to be in by the middle of the month.

Emergency Manager

Police Chief Aaron Pitts and Tillman were appointed co-emergency managers for the town.

Tillman made the suggestion because her load is a little lighter since they have two clerks now and Pitts is working on moving to town.

She said County 911 Director Ryan Deatherage offered to take that job for $800 a month, but Tillman suggested for trustees to decide any pay at a later meeting.

Gritz said he thought it was better to have someone who knew the town and others agreed.

ATV Rodeo on Town Property?

Henry asked the board if they could use the town’s property west of town (on Oklahoma Avenue at Cemetery Road) for an “ATV rodeo during the car show (Cruis’n Oklahoma) this spring.”

Henry said he knew there was a soccer field there “with a good stand of grass,” and they “wouldn’t tear it up” or get that close to it.

In the past that ATV rodeo has been held north of town on private property.

Gritz questioned the town’s liability. He said they should check with their attorney and insurance carrier.

“They have to sign waivers,” said Henry.

“They’ve been having burnouts here in town (during that car show),” said Shaw. “If there’s a lawsuit, they’re going to look for the deepest pocket and that would be the town.

“That’s what happened in Enid,” Shaw said. “They went for the county and not me.”

Jack Quirk, from the audience, said it was the intention for the car show to help generate more money for downtown businesses.

“We should require insurance on these events,” said Shaw. “Like the Wine & Chocolate Festival.”

“We have insurance on it,” said Barb Walter from the audience. Hennessey United sponsors that event and she is on that board.