St. Pauls is in the enviable position of sitting atop a nearly limitless source of water, the Black Creek Aquifer. But getting the water from the ground to the surface is another problem in and of itself.

The Town moved closer to ensuring that it will be able to continue to pump water from the ‘underground river’ when the St. Pauls Board of Commissioners voted last Thursday during its monthly meeting to approve bids to begin construction of a new well at the Fire Station on W. McLean Street.

The Commissioners approved a $15,000 contract with the engineering firm of Koonce & Noble for engineering services on the well.

The Commissioners also awarded $21,900 to Charles Underwood for a test well at the site, behind the station house. Mr. Underwood promised to have results from the test well back in 84 days. The other bid submitted for the project came in at $41,000.

The overall cost of the new well will be $252,000. Seventy five per cent of that will come from a state grant, with the Town matching with twenty five per cent.

The well is expected to be operational by October. Currently, St. Pauls has two aging wells, constructed in the 1960’s, operational. A third well went out several years ago. Wells typically have a life expectancy of about 40 years. The new well will become the primary water pumper, with the two older wells serving as back ups.

In other business, Commissioners:

-approved the demolition of five dilapidated homes located at 223 E. McLean Street, 524 E. Clark Street, 321 W. Pate Street and two structures located at 316 and 514 E. Chapel Street;

-authorized the sale of two surplus vehicles, a Crown Victoria police cruiser and a retired EMS vehicle, at public auction;

-appointed Kay Davis, the assistant Finance Officer/Tax Collector, as the temporary custodian of personnel files until the Town Clerk, Lou Espey, returns from sick leave;

-discussed but took no action on installing larger pipes for the storm drains near Blue and Armfield Street.