Even after spending 90 minutes behind closed doors Tuesday, the Haverhill City Council once again could not agree on how to acquire land on the Merrimack River for a supplemental water well.
The city has been eyeing a 5.3 acre of land at 309 E. Broadway owned by Joyce E. Hill for more than 10 years to dig a unique radial collector riverbank well which would draw water from the aquifer under the Merrimack River. The city’s pursuit of the additional water supply has taken on new urgency as the city and much of the northeast has experienced drought conditions for over two years.
Mayor Melinda E. Barrett presented a plan in mid-February to take the undeveloped portion of Hill’s seven-acre property by eminent domain for $917,000. But some councilors balked at that idea, arguing an “unfriendly” taking could land the city in court. The Council sent Barrett back to continue negotiating.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Ward 1 Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere made the motion to go into executive session because the matter involves the purchase of real estate.
When they emerged from an hour and a half of discussion, Ward 7 Councilor Catherine P. Rogers offered a motion to table the item for a week. When that failed, councilors took a second vote to take the land by eminent domain.
The vote on the taking garnered seven votes, but failed to pass because it a two-thirds majority is required. Voting in favor of going ahead with the taking were Council President Timothy J. Jordan, Council Vice President John A. Michitson, at-large Councilors Thomas J. Sullivan and Colin F. LePage, Basiliere, Ward 3 Councilor Devan M. Ferreira and Ward 6 Councilor Michael S. McGonagle. Voting against the taking were Ward 4 Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski , Ward 2 Councilor Daniel R. Diodati and Rogers. Ward 5 Councilor Shaun P. Toohey was absent.
Councilors took another vote to reconsider the item and. when that passed, they voted 9-1 to table the item for a week. The sole vote against tabling was Diodati.
In February, Councilor Basiliere pointed out that Hill had once offered the city the option to purchase her entire property for $1.8 million which includes her former residence. But, Haverhill Public Work Director Robert E. Ward argued paying extra for the property would mean higher water bills.