Clarksburg Sanitary Board approves two invoices, hears multi‑phase sewer updates

The Clarksburg Sanitary Board at its most recent meeting approved two contractor invoices totaling $181,684.35 and received staff updates on multiple sewer and water projects, including downtown Phase 5a, Phase 5b design work and extensions under review by the Army Corps.

Board members voted to approve an invoice from Thrasher for Phase 5b in the amount of $110,500 and a second invoice for the Arlington Soares Center project for Federal and Thatcher totaling $71,184.35. Both motions were carried by voice vote.

The actions matter because they authorize payment to consultants and contractors and confirm continued work on several multi‑phase infrastructure projects that will affect downtown streets and service areas.

Staff reported that Phase 5a construction downtown is moving forward: the contractor began preparatory work in mid‑December, materials have been delivered and crews are expected to begin disruptive work next month. Work is planned to start at the low end of the project area and proceed in one direction; the project will include concurrent sewer and other utility work. Project staff said weekly or periodic coordination meetings with each contractor will be scheduled, and a job trailer has been placed near Laurel Lane Apartments/Northview, at the intersection of 12th Street and Pearlman, to support field operations.

Phase 5b design has an operator on site and staff estimated the design is about 30% complete. When the design reaches roughly the 50–60% milestone staff plan to meet with a board member (Drew was identified as a contact for finer details) to finalize elements before bidding, with a target to put the work out to bid in late winter or early spring.

The Arlington extension and the West Fork sewer extension remain in federal review. Staff said the Arlington 60% design submission is now with the Army Corps for review and that comments are expected next month; after those comments are addressed the project will go to 90% and then final design. For a separate Gore/Goal extension (described by staff as the segment from the bus garage toward the Dawson Mines turnoff), staff are preparing a planning document that must be approved before applying for Army Corps grant funding. Staff noted a February 10 deadline for certain program submissions and said they aim to have the planning document ready for that round.

Route 19 tier issues are still pending at JDC, with no further update provided at the meeting.

In other business, staff reported financials: revenues were running at about 50% of budget with expenditures at about 45%, and the board made an SRF (State Revolving Fund) draw in December. Board members discussed timing for a budget meeting and anticipated possibly scheduling that work in March. Separately, operations staff said the current CSO motor equipment has been unreliable and they intend to solicit three quotes for replacement units for the upcoming budget cycle.

Next steps identified at the meeting include scheduling contractor coordination meetings tied to the Phase 5a schedule, advancing Phase 5b design to the next milestones before bidding, submitting the Gore planning document to meet the February 10 submission window, and obtaining replacement equipment quotes.