Two North Judson Park Board Members Plan to Resign Due to Well Site Opposition

Posted on February 28, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

North Judson Officials will be seeking two new members for the Park Board after opposition to the well site at Norwayne Field caused two members to tender their resignations.

When members met for their second meeting of the month they learned that long-time Park Board members Rich Akers and John Origer plan to resign as soon as construction on the well commences.

In their resignation letter, the members noted that the Park Board wasn’t sufficiently consulted about the location of the well site. They said their concerns go beyond issues with the aesthetics because they also fear the placement could pose a safety hazard to individuals who utilize the tobogganing hill. 

They also cited potential limitations to future park development and periodic damage from maintenance vehicles as reasons that they oppose the well site.

Town officials reiterated that they are unable to move the well site as it was designated by officials with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. An original location that was more “out of the way” did not meet IDEM’s stringent setback requirements.

Members voted unanimously to accept the pending resignations.

Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe informed the council that there is an ordinance on the books that requires that the Park Board contains two democrats and two republicans. Officials said once they confirm the political parties of the remaining members, they will be seeking potential appointments that will keep the board balanced.

As a reminder, this project is an IDEM requirement, as the town is currently not equipped with a back-up well offsite.

Council members noted that once they were aware of the concerns, project officials did everything in their power to lessen the impact, including switching the type of well to a subterranean model so a majority of the equipment will be housed underground. Money has also been set aside to purchase a rock-like well cover that will disguise the items that will stick out so that they can maintain a natural look.