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Harpers Ferry council approves $759,609 in water‑project invoices; project manager says work progressing
Summary
Council adopted Resolution No. 6 to authorize $759,609.12 in invoices tied to the town's waterworks project funded through the West Virginia Water Development Authority and other sources; council members pressed staff for percentages of work complete and schedule details.
Harpers Ferry's Town Council on April 14 approved payment of $759,609.12 in invoices for the town water improvement project, a move the mayor said was required to keep construction moving.
“I'm going to adopt Resolution number 6 of the WTA grants as presented,” Mayor Gregory Vaughn said as the council moved to approve invoices for CNB and WDA-funded work.
Council packet documents and the resolution the council voted on show $28,350.12 to CNB (GDNF/Terra Works line in the packet) and $731,259 to the West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA) for work on the water plant and associated construction. The council adopted the resolution by roll call, 5‑1; one member voted no.
Why it matters: the payments fund active construction phases of a multi‑year project to replace and rehabilitate water mains and plant elements. Council members asked for clearer reporting on how much of the overall contract is complete before approving large disbursements.
At the meeting, a councilor estimated the work covered by the invoices represented “a little less than a quarter” of the overall contract; project staff did not provide a formal percent‑complete number during the discussion. Steve, the project manager listed on the agenda, told the council the packet contained the paperwork required for the payment and that more detailed change‑order work would be discussed at the special meeting the town scheduled for the following day.
The council also heard a broader program update: crews have completed pressure testing and bacteriological checks on new mains in some neighborhoods, and work on laterals and tie‑ins continues. Council and staff said the ongoing meter project and staffing changes will influence cash‑flow planning and any future rate decisions.
The council asked staff to ensure future disbursement approvals clearly tie invoices to percent‑complete and to identify any forthcoming change orders before the next vote.
The mayor and finance staff said all invoices had been reviewed against grant and loan documents before the vote; council members requested additional schedule and budget reconciliations at upcoming meetings.
