Clarksburg residents press council over uncoordinated utility digs, city schedules contractor meeting

An extended round of public comment at the Clarksburg City Council meeting focused on utility and street work residents say has been poorly coordinated and damaging to private vehicles.

"They don't know what the right hand is, the left hand is doing," an unnamed resident told the council, describing repeated digs on Carr Avenue and Main Street and saying the work had left "huge potholes" and damaged vehicles. The commenter said he paid $1,700 to replace axles after driving over damaged pavement and worried about school buses, ambulances and snowplows operating on patched streets.

City Manager Bill responded that the city holds biweekly meetings with the companies involved and that the schedule is constrained by the West Virginia Department of Highways' repaving rules. "The Department of Highways will not repave Pike And Maine…unless all the infrastructure was replaced," Bill said, explaining the accelerated work schedule and a requirement linked to outside reimbursement.

Bill told residents that contractors, the gas company and the water board have been invited to the next council meeting to address concerns about metal plates, smoother winter surfaces and coordination. "We are over top of it," he said, adding that the city will continue to push contractors to meet safety and scheduling needs.

Council members and other speakers acknowledged frustration, said they drive the same roads and urged residents to attend the upcoming contractor meeting and water-board sessions. Several councilmembers called for patience while reiterating the long-term benefit of replacing aged infrastructure: "I know probably a year or a year and a half from now, we have brand new roads and brand new water lines," one councilmember said.

The council did not adopt a new ordinance or funding change during the discussion. The city manager's report, which followed public comment, listed department activity, recent grants, and said sewer staff responded to 22 calls; it also said contractors have been asked to appear at the next council meeting to discuss winter readiness and removing metal plates from streets.

Council members and staff encouraged residents to attend water-board meetings as well, saying some repairs and schedules are managed by that separate authority. The city indicated it will continue periodic public updates and invited residents to the next meeting where utility representatives will appear.