Left, hundreds of Hull residents gathered for a October 21 update on well water issues. Several residents there say they’ve had to pay for new wells in recent months, and some say a nearby Stevens Point municipal well as the cause. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

The Town of Hull Board on Friday narrowed down its choice for an independent hydrologist to study the water table in the area.

The study, town leaders say, is an important step in learning whether any outside forces had undue affects on private wells in the Town of Hull. It could uncover whether nearby Stevens Point well #11- already a scapegoat for many in the town- has had any effect on surrounding private water sources.

Town of Hull Board Members met in closed session to interview three candidates for the position, which Town Secretary Barb Brilowski said was done over the telephone.

“They’ve picked one they’re very comfortable with, along with a second choice as a backup,” Brilowski said on Monday.

Town leaders say an independent hydrology review is necessary to determine what could be causing dozens of private wells in the area to be drying up. Nearly 40 residents say they’ve had to replace private wells in recent months, and many claim they had no problems until well #11 went online in early summer. But officials from Hull warn residents not to jump to conclusions before the study is complete.

“It’s all about fact- finding,” said Town Chairman John Holdridge. “Finding a hydrologist will help us determine if there is any reason, or outside force, behind these wells going dry. Right now, we just don’t know.”

Holdridge has said he had contacted officials from Portage County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and water experts at UWSP to help direct the search for a good hydrologist.

Brilowski also said the hydrologists interviewed were not local, which was intentional so a “truly independent” study could be performed.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Brilowski said of the hydrology investigation.

No offer has yet been made to the Board’s top choice, she added, but said additional details would be made public during a December 2nd Town Board meeting at 5:30 PM.