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Council approves time extensions for Lockwood and Joy Beach sewer projects
Summary
Sussex County approved time extensions for two sewer district expansion projects—Lockwood (USDA-funded) and Joy Beach (SRF-funded)—to allow final startup, paving and pay requisitions to proceed.
Sussex County Council on Jan. 7 approved time extensions for two sewer district expansion projects so contractors can complete startup, paving and final pay requisitions.
The council approved a change order giving the Lockwood Sewer District an additional 89 calendar days. County engineering staff told council the Lockwood work—USDA-funded—experienced multiple utility relocations and “miss locates,” including several events where primary electrical lines were struck, complicating progress. Engineering said the project is substantially complete and will enter startup next month but told council USDA requires a council-approved time extension before processing additional pay requisitions.
Council also approved a 115-calendar-day extension for the Joy Beach Sewer District expansion. Engineering staff said Joy Beach’s paving was deferred by recent weather and that the state revolving fund (SRF) program had already signed the change order; council approval was the final local step. Staff noted Joy Beach work included a mix of pressurized grinder-pump systems (Water View) and a gravity system with a pump station (Joy Beach proper), and that a future Joy Beach Phase 2 would address mobile home parks on Camp Arrowhead Road and likely require supplemental funding.
Both motions were approved by council roll call. County staff described utility coordination challenges (Lockwood) and weather-driven paving delays (Joy Beach) as the primary reasons for the extensions. Engineering said Lockwood should reach substantial completion soon after startup and that Joy Beach paving is expected in early spring once conditions allow.
Council members were told SRF already authorized its change order signature for Joy Beach; the Lockwood extension was described as contingent on USDA authorizations. Staff indicated additional expansion petitions are forthcoming and that council members can expect more similar requests as the county continues sewer annexations driven by citizen petitions.
