Town reconfirms stance on fracking
The issue of fracking is such a sensitive issue on Fort Myers Beach that the town decided it needed to vote on it twice.
After approving the measure two months ago to support a statewide ban of hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing and any kind of extreme resource extraction in the state, the town voted again during its bi-weekly town meeting Monday at town hall.
The town council will send a letter to state legislators and Gov. Rick Scott, calling for a ban on fracking and a legislative bill banning all forms of well stimulation.
Councilmember Summer Stockton said the revote, which was unanimous, was a precautionary measure.
Fracking is a procedure in which chemicals and large volumes of water are used to dissolve rock in order to extract oil or natural gas from the ground.
The chemicals are said to have adverse health and environmental effects. The chemicals are carcinogens which can harm and brain and nervous systems and contaminate drinking water at the fracking sites, opponents say.
In other business, the town voted unanimously to declare numerous town items as surplus and authorized staff to dispose of these items by putting them on sale to the general public.
The property to be declared surplus includes two Kubota utility vehicles, a Mitsubishi fuso truck, Johnson street sweeper, miscellaneous tables and chairs, computer hardware, audio visual equipment and miscellaneous office supplies
Assets are considered salvage when they are no longer operable and the cost to repair is more than the item is worth. Assets are obsolete when they are no longer being used even if operable because they are outmoded and replaced by newer technology.
The disposal of these items will not cost the town money.
The town also unanimously approved an administrative code for the purposes of providing for the organization of the town government as well as the fees, forms, and policies of the Town Council.
Also, Kaye Molnar gave an update on the construction happening on Estero Boulevard and the traffic headaches it has created. She said completion time is unknown because by the time the local work is completed, the state will come in and do what it has to do.
Vice mayor Dan Andre said traffic tends to lighten up at about 3 p.m. weekdays and usually all weekend.
“Things should flow better once they get the rhythm,” Molnar said.
Andre added that despite all the inconveniences, it will be worth it in the end.
“We’re doing it to replace the old infrastructure. If we don’t do this, people won’t come here,” Andre said. “Upgrading is important.”