PROCTORVILLE — The Proctorville Village Council tabled a matter on Thursday night regarding connecting with Hecla Water for a backup water supply.

Mayor Rick Dunfee said the proposal would cost the village $10,000 for a six-inch pipe, which would go in on Shirkey Street.

Dunfee said a pipe of that size was needed.

“I told them a two-inch line won’t carry this town,” he said.

Council members also wanted to study the effects on a change to the lines. Dunfee said the system would go from gravity pressure to forced pressure under such a change.

Council member Dale Burcham said the village likely would not be able to find a better deal than what Hecla is offering.

Burcham proposed that the council vote on the matter, expressing concern that a backup supply was needed, particularly for fire suppression, in case the village’s supply were to go down.

However, he withdrew this motion, after council members decided they wanted to seek more information on options.

The council agreed to take up the matter at their October meeting.

“I prefer that we met with more people and get prices,” council member Pamela Legg said.

The council also said that they would discuss the matter with the village solicitor.

In other business, the council:

• Voted to hire an officer part-time. Police chief Bill Murphy said the village was 16 hours away from 24-hour, seven-day police coverage. Council members expressed the need for more coverage with increased traffic from the opening of the new Taco Bell, which will have late hours.

• Discussed the idea of a mutual aid agreement with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Jeff Lawless had been invited to the meeting, but was unable to attend.

Murphy said officers are only to respond to aid requests in “life or death” matters.

The council and mayor also agreed that Murphy can have gun racks installed in cruisers so that officers can be equipped with shotguns for such backup requests.
Dunfee said they will ask Lawless to meet with them to discuss the matter.

• Heard from Burcham, who expressed disappointed in the cutting of the curb for the new Taco Bell. He said concrete had been replaced with blacktop and that concrete should have been used as the replacement.

• Granted village fiscal officer Darrell Legg permission on a $5,529 bond.