GRAVETTE — The Gravette City Council at its special meeting Thursday night learned that assigning new ward boundaries, based on the newly annexed Hiwasse area, cannot be completed until information is received from the office of the Secretary of State.

Allyson Ransom, director of communications for the city, said a spokesman in that office indicated the information will be available very soon.

Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held involving rezoning property on Highway 59 south (see Page 3A).

Also approved was recognizing Rhonda Barrett and Steve Oler as new members of the Library Commission. Their oath of office was administered by city recorder Mike von Ree, who presided at the meetingin the absence of Mayor Byron Warren. All council members were present for the special meeting.

Reports from the various departments were received, and discussions involved several projects including:

◊Rodney Williams, a University of Arkansas professor, is conducting a study of the “losing stream” designation from the wastewater treatment plant which, hopefully, will provide new information regarding nitrate discharge levels.

◊Learned paving of Eighth Street NW has been completed.

◊Discussed status of extending a sewer line east to Stagecoach Road.

◊Learned that installation of a replacement water line on Detroit Street is expected to start this week.

◊Were informed the StateHealth Department has approved installation of new filtration at the municipal swimming pool which will require the pool to be closed two or three days. This possibly will occur just before school starts on August 20.

◊Advised that the Benton County Road Department will begin installing a new bridge on Cash Springs Road near Hiwasse.

◊Learned the radio monitoring system of water flow from Two Ton system is operational.

◊Were advised that fuel consumption by the police department has increased since incorporation of new land.

◊Learned that repair work on the sewer treatment plant lagoons is now complete and the ponds will be refilled.

◊Were told that a Renaissance Faire is already being planned by the library for a weekend next summer.

News, Pages 1 on 07/18/2012