Board approves $17,472 change order and several claims and sewer adjustments; Heather Heights apartment bill explained

The Martinsville Board of Works and Safety approved a series of routine financial items on Nov. 24, including Change Order No. 7 totaling $17,472, acceptance of city claims, and four sewer-adjustment applications.

Speaker 5 presented Change Order No. 7, which totaled $17,472 and comprised two parts: $13,272 to modify a debris-grate at the South Levee pump house so it can be raised or lowered during normal flow and lowered during flood events to protect pumps; and $4,200 to install a wider (20-foot) access gate on the North Levee to accommodate farm equipment. Speaker 5 described the pump-house configuration and said the pumps (one of which can move 7,000 gallons per minute) are float-activated. After discussion, the board approved Change Order No. 7 by voice vote.

The board then accepted the claims previously distributed to members. No objections were raised and the board voted to approve the claims as presented.

On sewer adjustments, the board considered four items announced by staff: 110 East Morgan Street ($507.83); 1600 Williamsburg Court ($676.72); 440–446 South Graham Street ($9.01); and 950 Cloverleaf Court ($6,324.74). Speaker 3 asked about a large bill referenced for Heather Heights Apartments; Speaker 5 explained Heather Heights has 99 units (two buildings), the affected building has 51 apartments, and the average monthly utility cost for that building is about $2,700, but a September water break produced a $12,076.64 bill (reported breakdown: $29.55 water, $8,859 sewer). The board voted to approve the sewer adjustments as presented.

The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers and adjourned.