BELLAIRE — In a split vote Wednesday, Bellaire Village Council approved an agreement to sell raw water to Ascent Resources for its gas and oil fracking operations.

Solicitor Paul Stecker said the five-year contract will allow the company to draw water from McMahon Creek at a village-owned site. The developer will also install a pipe along the edge of that property and pump water through it to drilling sites in the area. Stecker said the agreement includes options to renew it twice, each time for an additional two years for a total potential contract period of nine years.

The 4-1 vote to approve the measure came after disagreement among council members over how the sale price was negotiated and whether the agreed-upon amount of $3 per 1,000 gallons was enough. The company will pay $20,000

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