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Frostburg outlines CSO phases, test-well plan and water-resiliency steps
Summary
Public Works reported phase 10a of combined-sewer overflow (CSO) work is complete, the city has authorized limited contractor spending for phases 10b/10c, and a Piney Reservoir test-well program aims to produce data in the next 3–6 weeks for a potential production well.
The Frostburg public works department told the mayor and council on Nov. 18 that CSO phase 10a is essentially complete and staff are preparing for the larger phases 10b and 10c, which cover work near Viamont Bridge and the high school.
Public Works said the city has been given state approval to release about $50,000 to allow winning bidders to order materials and stage equipment, but contractors cannot begin on-the-ground construction until bonding, loan and loan-forgiveness processes are finalized. Staff said they expect the bulk of construction for those phases to occur over the next two summers.
Separately, Public Works briefed council on an active water-resiliency program focused on a test-well and well-expansion effort tied to Piney Reservoir. The department said a construction road into the well site is in place and that test wells will be punched in the next three to six weeks to generate data that can be shared with state agencies to pursue a production well to buffer the city's intermittent water supply to neighboring communities.
During the presentation, Public Works noted an MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment) inspection of recent work and described only a small punch list remaining for phase 10a. Staff warned that the roundabout project near Frostburg State University still requires state and federal highway approvals and has been delayed in the past, meaning the city is preparing paperwork but not yet scheduling construction.
Public Works framed the near-term work as preparatory: "We have been given the go ahead to cut loose about $50,000 worth of funding for both of those projects so that those contractors can order materials, and store them on-site and then mobilize," staff said, adding, "We do anticipate the bulk of those projects occurring, over the next 2 summers."
