Town staff reports progress and delays on water, wastewater and stormwater projects

Leonardtown — At the Oct. 14 meeting town staff provided updates on several infrastructure projects, reporting milestones on the new water tower and wells but delays and rebids on wastewater and stormwater works.

Staff said the water tower raising has been completed and that well work should begin within weeks; both the tower and wells are on schedule to be operational in February. On the wastewater system, staff said contractors have been working to remove sludge from a lagoon (staff described two trucks pumping sludge) and that progress has resumed after several months of delay; paving related to the wastewater project was expected this week.

At McIntosh Station staff said pipe slip‑lining work that had been delayed is scheduled for Thursday, a step the town needs to bring the station back online. Staff also reported that three stormwater projects went out to bid and initial bids came in substantially over budget. Staff redesigned the Academy Hills project to reduce cost and reissued the bid; staff expects rebid submissions on Oct. 30 and hopes to bring award recommendations to the Nov. council meeting.

Staff noted other ongoing project activity including additional annexation discussions with property owners north of the Davis property on Route 5. Council did not take formal votes on these project updates; staff indicated next steps and tentative schedules for rebids and follow‑up reporting.