Concerns about a septic system and open well on property developed as Elkhorn Ridge subdivision motivated Pea Ridge City Council member Bob Cottingham to vote against final plat approval at the special Pea Ridge City Council meeting Thursday, March 24.
"I'm elected to look out for the people's best interest and this is important," Cottingham said. "I don't want to be associated with approving that."
Cottingham said he asked the developer, Franklin Miller, about the septic tank and well which had been on the Bertschy farm which previously occupied that land.
"He said he didn't know anything about it," Cottingham said, adding that the city building official did not know about it either.
"Lance Bertschy's house was there. They razed the house. No one has any knowledge if the septic tank was removed ... There is no record of it being addressed," Cottingham said. "That's why I'm throwing up a red flag. I want an answer and I can't get one from anybody."
The meeting was chaired by City Clerk Sandy Button. Cottingham said Button asked why the issue was just now being questioned.
"I said something to the mayor a couple of weeks ago and he said he'd look into it," Cottingham said.
Mayor Jackie Crabtree, who was not at the special City Council meeting, later said he "dropped the ball" and did not speak to the building official about the questions Cottingham raised. Monday, Crabtree said, "It's all squared away. Ken (Hayes, Water Dept. superintendent) and Tony (Townsend, building official) have gotten with Elizabeth (Bertschy, former land owner). They know where everything is at."
Three of the four council members voted in favor of approving the final plat.
General News on 04/06/2016