HEATH — Heath City Council members haven’t abandoned plans to build a water tower on city-owned property behind The Fulton School, but they are open to considering alternate sites.
That was the consensus opinion after city council members heard from16 speakers, mostly parents of Fulton students, during a 2 1/2-hour “public input” session at the beginning of the council’s regular meeting Tuesday night.
There also was agreement that better communication involving the water tower issue could be helpful. Representatives from the city and school will keep communication lines open. City Manager Ed Thatcher will represent the city. The Fulton School will name two representatives.
During the public hearing, speakers urged the city council to pursue an alternate site for the water tower. Most of the speakers expressed concern for the safety of children who attend the school.
“The people here are great people,” Mayor John Ratcliffe said near the end of the public hearing. “You’re great parents and you’ve got great kids. We all see how important this issue is. I hope you can see some appreciation for the issues that we’ve undertaken and have to deal with. There aren’t real easy answers, but we have a fair summary of all comments.”
He stressed that there are public safety concerns about the city’s water supply system. He added that the city needs to act quickly and that’s why the city has moved forward with engineering and construction plans for the water tower.
“But if there were a proposal that provided an alternative site that was feasible and available in a relatively short period of time. ... Would we look at that? Absolutely, especially if it saves the city money,” the mayor added.
The elevated water storage facility — which would be the city’s second — is necessary to meet the demands made upon the water supply by a growing population.
The site selected for the new water tower has been a site for water storage since 1961 and was designated as “best suited” for the city’s planned elevated storage tank in 1998 by Freeman-Millican Engineering. Elevation of the property is one reason it is a preferred site.
In December 2009, the City of Rockwall formalized in writing its directive that the City of Heath build additional water storage. The City of Heath is currently “borrowing” space in the City of Rockwall’s storage facility and is exceeding its allotted amount of water to meet demands.
“If you really admit it, I think many people really would prefer another site,” said Susie Nash of The Fulton School.
Later, she suggested that Fulton parents would be effective in finding a new water tower site.
“I am very pleased and impressed with our parents,” Nash said. “We’ve got some sharp parents. We can mobilize them to find this land.”
Rebecca Moore noted that the property behind the school became a designated water tower site in 2001.
“If that has already been eight or nine years, what will a few more weeks or months matter?” she asked.
“I’m going to go ahead and answer on behalf of everyone and speak for them,” Ratcliffe said. “If we’re talking about weeks and months here in that time frame and there was an opportunity and there was a reasonable option out there, I’m going to go ahead and speak for everyone and say we’d absolutely, we’d absolutely consider it. We absolutely would.”
Local News
Heath City Council says it’s open to considering alternate water tower sites
- Local News
-
-
VIDEO: Ford elementary holds art fair
Hundreds of children and their parents showed up to oggle to a purcahse art at the annual Ford elementary art fair Feb. 7. Several classes contributed to the event each with a different theme.
-
RISD student athletes ink national letters
Nineteen student/athletes from Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath took advantage of National Signing Day last Wednesday to ink Letters of Intent to continue their education and athletic careers at the college level.
-
City studying one-way traffic flow plan for service roads
City officials are working on a traffic flow plan that will be implemented when construction on the Interstate 30-Erby Campbell Boulevard interchange begins and traffic on the service roads become one-way.
-
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI
The New York Giants won their fourth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
-
Commissioners move toward new justice software
The commissioners used a workshop meeting this week to look at the integration of the new county software justice system and the county’s strategic plan.
-
Water restrictions likely to worsen
This past year was the driest 12-month period in Texas history. Although recent rains and cooler temperatures have offered some temporary relief, water supplies have been down and have not yet been replenished. The drought is predicted to continue through mid-summer. These projections make it critical that the region prepare for water shortages.
-
Mayor gives residents the ‘big vision’ during ‘State of Fate’ meeting
Mayor Bill Broderick’s message to about 70 residents during his annual “State of Fate” town hall meeting this week involved details of a “big vision” and his belief that within three years, they won’t know their town as they know it today.
Midway through his presentation, Broderick provided a summary of planned projects and developments. -
Deputy saves women in daring rescue
The two young women who are alive today because of the heroic action of Rockwall County Sheriff’s Deputy Keven Rowan were on hand to make a presentation of their own Wednesday during a breakfast meeting of the North Texas Crime Commission.
-
Ratcliffe will not look to continue being mayor of Heath
Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe announced that he will not seek re-election after his fourth term ends in May.
-
Elm Street becomes war zone for movie filming
There were some light moments in the war zone on Royse City’s Elm Street Saturday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
