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City says CSO phases complete, phase 10 work and sidewalks planned; well-expansion testing approved for study
Summary
Public works reported completion of CSO phases 8c and 9d, progress on phase 10a and permitting for 10b/10c; sidewalks will be installed on parts of Washington Street, McCullough Street and Cemetery Lane. Staff introduced a hydrologic study to locate potential well expansion sites and described a $172,000 phase-1 cap.
Public works staff told the council the city has completed two small-scale combined sewer overflow (CSO) projects (phases 8c and 9d) and expects to wrap up phase 10a within a month. Staff said they are awaiting Maryland Department of the Environment approval for phases 10b and 10c but are proceeding with mobilization and stored-material authorizations so contractors can prepare.
Staff emphasized that work in the Mountain Ridge neighborhood is expected to start in mid‑March to April and that sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of Washington Street, the lower side of McCullough Street and portions of Cemetery Lane; all work is within existing city right-of-way. Letters to affected property owners were sent roughly a year ago, staff said, and additional outreach will occur before any groundbreaking.
Public works reported supply-chain pressures for salt delivery stemming from a regional vendor’s staffing changes and said the city has layered backup plans for salt procurement. The department also noted an ARPA-funded plow truck was delivered and will be outfitted to meet city specs.
On water supply, staff said a single large leak that occurred recently is repaired and the system is back online but "it is safe to drink, but it is cloudy at the moment due to all the kind of stirring of the lines," and asked residents to "please flush your faucets in your homes before you use the water." Pressure and clarity are expected to recover over the following morning.
Staff introduced a separate, agendaed authorization for Triad Engineering to conduct an initial hydrologic study to identify potential locations for a municipal well expansion. The city reported a phase-1 cost cap of $172,000 and noted it has secured a $43,000 Rural Maryland Council grant, leaving a potential local obligation of $129,000 if other grant applications are not successful. Staff said phase 2 would follow with engineering and design of the structural components and pumping station if phase 1 testing identifies a viable site.
Public outreach, schedule coordination and permit approvals remain necessary steps before construction begins. The record shows staff asked the council for motions on the hydrologic study authorization; the final vote is not recorded in the provided excerpt.
