Think of a hot summer day, strolling in downtown Marietta, or running on the trail. What’s missing? According to Marietta High School junior Jack Wesel, it’s a water fountain.

As an Eagle Scout project, Wesel is installing three drinking fountains downtown and on the west side of the city, hoping to make the area even more appealing to residents and visitors alike.

The process has truly been a community project, Wesel said.

“I want to express thanks to everyone who donated labor, time and support,” he said. “The project wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Question: What is the Eagle Scout project you’re working on?

Answer: I’m installing water fountains in downtown Marietta. We’ve already got two done, both on Front Street. With the first one, we were replacing one. There was a blue one close to the cannon monument near Putnam. Now there’s a new green one with a regular bowl and then a lower bowl for anyone who has disabilities, so they could pull up to it in a wheelchair. There’s also a pet bowl for it at the bottom. The second one is close to the adult exercise park.

Q: Was the one you were replacing no longer in use?

A: It was broken. It didn’t work at all.

Q: How many are you planning to install?

A: Originally, we were going to do four but now I think it will be three. We’re laying out the plans for a third one.

Q: Where will that one be?

A: We’re putting it across the river on the west side near the Kiwanis shelter. They’re planning on helping us out.

Q: I heard that you’re still looking for funding for part of the project?

A: Even though the project we’re doing is for open use, the city wants me to pay the tap fee for the second fountain. The first one was already tapped but this one wasn’t. It’s like building a house and then connecting it to the water line. The total cost is $1,600. That’s where we ran into some issues.

Q: Are you looking for donations?

A: Yes, that would be awesome. If anyone wants to donate, they can send checks to BSA Troop #231, 206 Washington St., Marietta, OH, 45750.

Q: How have you handled the other expenses for this project?

A: We used a lot of excess parts and had people willing to donate their time. We had a plumber, Ted Van Dyke, helping us. He was very generous. We also went to a bunch of other clubs, like Rotary and Kiwanis. We sent letters to people we knew to help fund the fountains themselves.

Q: Were people willing to give?

A: Yes. So far, we haven’t had someone that hasn’t helped somehow.

Q: How did you get the idea to do this for your Eagle Scout project?

A: I was thinking of ideas that I could do and my mom mentioned that there should be drinking fountains downtown. I presented it to Mayor (Joe) Matthews and to (Public Facilities Foreman)Tanner Huffman and they said that would really help out a lot. A lot of people tell me they really like the dog bowl attached to it.

Q: Was it important for you to add those extra features–the lower bowl and the pet bowl?

A: Yes, I wanted it be accessible for everyone.

Q: When do you think they’ll all be in place and ready to use?

A: We haven’t determined the exact time frame. We need to clean up around the last one and confirm a good time when Tanner Huffman and Ted Van Dyke can come work on it. We’re hoping it will be in the next few weeks.

Q: How long have you been involved in the boy scouts?

A: I’ve been in Boy Scouts for six or seven years and I was a Cub Scout before that. I’ve been involved for most of my life.

Q: What do you love most about scouting?

A: I really love helping my community.

Q: What would it mean for you to become an Eagle Scout?

A: It would mean a lot. It’s a great accomplishment. Fewer than 1 percent of scouts become an Eagle Scout.

Kate York conducted this interview.

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Jack Wesel

¯ Age: 17.

¯ School: Junior at Marietta High School.

¯ Family: Parents Joe and Kathy; Three older brothers, one older sister and one younger sister.

¯ Hobbies: Cross country team, crew team and member of Boy Scouts Troop #231.

Source: Jack Wesel.