Clarksburg sanitary board receives progress report on Phase 5 work, hears change‑order and funding updates

At a recent meeting, the Clarksburg Sanitary Board received construction and funding updates on multiple sewer projects, including Phase 5 work downtown, a proposed change order for repair work near Wendy’s, and a revised plan for the Arlington sewer extension after federal funding complications.

A public works staff member told the board that crews have completed sanitary sewer work to the Board of Education building on Main Street and have started excavation for storm and sanitary lines on Chestnut Street. “Their goal is to get that section completed, and then I’ll drop back and finish that final run of storm sewer on Main Street,” the staff member said. He added that the gas company plans to deactivate a line between Wendy’s and an apartment complex at the end of the week so crews can install drop inlets and that the primary contractor will not be digging next week; a second crew is expected to return in the fall.

The board reviewed items related to Phase 5b at the treatment plant, where a consulting engineer is preparing updated drawings and staff said structural-engineering input last week will allow completion of the design. The staff member said work at the plant will include a new belt press, refurbishing another, and new roofs.

Board members discussed a proposed change order to pay Independent Enterprises for earlier repair work at an intersection near Wendy’s and for straddle manholes needed to maintain service while installing the new main. The staff member said negotiations reduced Independent Enterprises’ price, and that the increase for the change order would be $45,646.18. He said the partial quantity adjustments in the change order brought the net increase down. The board did not record a formal vote on that item at the meeting.

Separately, the staff member reported that one of two change orders listed on the agenda lacked a contractor price and therefore would be removed from consideration. He also described another line of work funded through an agreement with Wolf’s Summit Energy that the city will advertise for bid, with a pre‑bid meeting currently scheduled for Nov. 6 and bids to be opened Dec. 4; staff said the goal is to present a recommendation to the sanitary board at its Dec. 9 meeting.

On the Arlington sewer extension, staff explained a complication with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding. “The Army Corps cannot pay for the work on the [rail] trails bringing the sewer back to the city,” the staff member said, adding the Corps has identified the rail‑trail area as a recognized environmental concern. That designation may force design changes and could require a phase 2 study to test soils; the staff member said if soils are contaminated, excavation would need landfill disposal and specialized equipment, making the work more costly. Because of the Corps’ position, staff said some work may move into a different project or be delayed until funding commitments arrive from IGDC.

The Route 19 sewer extension is on hold pending a commitment of funds from IGDC, staff said, and the item may be removed from future agendas until funding is confirmed. Staff estimated a project extension at “2 and a half to 3,000,000 dollars,” noting the cost could rise with design changes tied to the Army Corps’ concerns.

Board discussion also covered a smaller repair at a building where an interior pipe collapse revealed another collapsed pipe under the wall; staff described digging inside and outside the building and setting an exterior manhole to provide access for future maintenance. That work will be paid from the Phase 5a project and will be added to the contract as a future change order, staff said.

No formal votes on the change orders or contract adjustments were recorded during the update; staff indicated it would circulate full digital packets on the proposed change order and related documents to the board for review.