Project updates: downtown sewer work, Phase 5B plant scope and Arlington extension comments

At the meeting, project manager (S3) provided a detailed update on construction and design work affecting downtown Clarksburg and the wastewater plant.

S3 said one crew is working on Chestnut Street and expects that work to finish by mid‑next week, after which that crew will move to Main Street to install storm sewer from in front of the Caperton Center to the Board of Education building. A second crew is reinstating business laterals not yet connected to the new sewer system, starting at Wendy's and working toward City Hall.

On schedule, S3 told the board contractors are 'shooting for the February' target for overall completion but 'it may be March.' S3 said staff will finalize quantity projections once the contractor finishes trunk‑line installation.

S3 told the board Thrasher submitted a funding change refocusing Phase 5B on wastewater plant work and that the new project cost for that scope is $4,800,000; staff are coordinating with David Traver and Dietrich Bartlett to secure the necessary loan. S4 and other board members noted electrical and infrastructure costs at the plant are rising and that Ferry Street planning could be in the $2.5–3 million range for planning purposes.

Regarding the Arlington Sewer Extension, S3 said the Army Corps returned comments and staff expect to address them by month end; separate Arlington contract comments remain pending at DEP. S3 also said right‑of‑way collection continues with Tim and Pete assisting and that interceptor cleaning quantities are under internal review and expected to move forward quickly.

S3 asked the board to defer presentation of a stone change order and a contractor lost‑production claim so staff can verify measurements and quantities; S3 expects to present verified documentation at the January meeting.