Finish Line Car Wash is set to install a new well to supply water for the business.

After months of applications and denials, Milton Town Council finally approved carwash owner Jim Parker’s request to install a 4-inch commercial well for his 10-year-old business.

Parker argued that he needs the well for his business to secure water services in cases where town water lines are out of commission and to remove chemicals used in Milton’s treated water.

“If I’ve got water that’s not coming into that building, it’s a problem,” he said. He added that every gallon of water currently coming through his business is treated to remove the chlorination and fluoridation.

Milton Town Council approved the request during its regular monthly meeting Oct. 6 with a vote of 3-1. Mayor Marion Jones was the dissenting vote; Councilman Emory West was absent, while John Collier and John Booros’ council seats have not yet been filled. Parker said he originally submitted his request in December 2013; he was previously denied in April 2014.

“Our whole aim in Milton is to bring businesses, not throw them away,” said Councilwoman Esthelda Parker-Selby, who made the first motion to approve the request.

Council approved the application despite the town’s Water Committee’s recommendation to deny the request.

Jones said she voted against the request because of an anticipated financial loss that could come from the business leaving the town’s water system.

“I do not want to oppose the work that the water committee did in making a recommendation,” she said. “I fear this is not a financially good move for the town.”

Prior to the vote, Finish Line’s Parker noted that the town previously approved Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s requests to install two commercial wells, also to avoid the chlorination and fluoridation of the town’s water.

“I think it’s very unfair if you allow some businesses to do what they want, but then turn around on the other side and say we can’t allow that – you’re not Dogfish Head, you’re not such-and-such,” he said during the public comment portion of the Oct. 6 meeting.

Now that Parker has the town’s approval to move forward, he says he has a lot of work in store.

Finish Line Auto Wash opened at 204 Broadkill Road in Milton in 2004. Parker said he expects the well to be complete within four to five months.