The Vincennes City  Council has voted down an Environmental Restrictive Ordinance prohibiting water wells in certain areas connected with an environmental cleanup.

The first reading of the ordinance did pass back in June.

The ordinance, which passed its first reading in June, was aimed at addressing contamination from dry cleaning chemicals in the 1400 block of Washington Avenue, where dry cleaning businesses have operated for over 70 years. While newer chemicals are now used, officials say the contamination, discovered a decade ago, has not worsened.

In June, attorneys representing the owners of the former Field’s Cleaners, explained the contamination’s history and efforts to reduce it. The lawyer was asked by the utilities board to draft an ordinance that would ban the installation of groundwater wells in the area to prevent possible exposure. However, there is currently no evidence of wells, as homes in the area are on city water.

At last night’s City Council meeting, Council President Brian Grove, who presided in Mayor Joe Yochum’s absence, explained that the Public Safety Committee had recommended not passing the ordinance, citing concerns about enforcement. Grove added that Mayor Yochum was also opposed to the ordinance.

The vote to not pass the ordinance was unanimous.