Oil patch city annexing 7.5 square miles to the north

The booming North Dakota oil patch city of Williston is getting even bigger.

The City Commission has approved an annexation to the north of about 7.5 square miles of land. About 500 property owners are affected.

Public Works Director Monte Meiers says the annexation will make it easier for officials to plan infrastructure such as roads and sewer lines.

Some residents in the area fear a loss of liberties such as the ability to hunt and shoot off fireworks. The Williston Daily Herald reports (http://bit.ly/11AYXsZ) that public protests fell short of the 25 percent threshold needed to stop the project.