(Photo by Amber Phipps) Marietta City Council President Susan Vessels, left, introduces Assistant Law Director David Silwani during Thursday’s council meeting. He started with the city on June 30.

The third reading of an ordinance to reconfigure the intersection of Front and Greene streets failed during Thursday’s Marietta City Council meeting on a 3-2 vote.

“I am not sure that all the I’s have been dotted and T’s have been crossed on this,” Councilman Jon Grimm said. “I’m not aware of any traffic studies that have given any information to how this is going to affect the traffic.”

Grimm was joined by Councilman Harley Noland in voting against the ordinance. But with Councilmen Bret Allphin and Ben Rutherford absent there was not a fourth vote to secure its passage.

As part of the Marietta Levee Park Improvement Project, the reconfiguration of the intersection is intended to improve pedestrian safety by shortening the amount of lanes and reducing the length of the crosswalks. The crosswalks would be paved and flush with the sidewalks.

“My vote no isn’t an opposition to that,” said Grimm. “However, I don’t believe that we were given enough information to make an informed decision.”

(Photo by Amber Phipps) Marietta City Council met for a short, regular meeting on Thursday. They agreed to schedule a public meeting about injection wells at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at the Armory. The date and time are subject to change.

It was noted by other council members that the Streets Committee was actively working on getting that information. Grimm said if there was an option to table the ordinance, that would have been preferred.

There were no actions taken for the remainder of the ordinances on second readings.

Council scheduled a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, in the Armory to discuss injection wells.

“It was good to see members of the community present at Warren High School for the discussion on injection wells” on Tuesday, Councilman Bill Gossett said. “For me, this is of great importance and it’s not a matter of if it’s going to reach our water; it’s a matter of time.”

Injection wells store brine water used in oil and gas drilling operations underground. Concerns have been raised that the water has impacted traditional oil and gas wells and could affect drinking water sources. DeepRock Disposal Solutions has five such wells in Washington County and is planning a sixth.

Councilwoman Erin O’Neill also attended the meeting at Warren.

“It was very alarming what we learned, and I’m glad that we’re planning on meeting to discuss this… we can’t stay silent on this matter,” she said.

Councilman Harley Noland also attended Tuesday’s meeting and agreed the matter is urgent.

“I was impressed by the number of Marietta citizens who have come to me and said ‘you have got to do something fast,'” he said.

The next Marietta City Council regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 in the Armory.