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Kent County public works reviews storm response, approves groundwater filter funds and advances wastewater and dredging plans
Summary
Public works reported on an unusual snow-and-ice storm, approved $10,000 in contingency funds toward a $16,085.27 granular-activated-carbon (GAC) filter replacement at the Nicholson Groundwater Treatment Facility, authorized submission of MDE grant applications for Millington wastewater, and updated commissioners on a Rock Hall dredging project that will remove about 90,000 cubic yards with a $5 million Army Corps allocation but an estimated $600,000 spoils-site preparation gap.
Dan Mattson, director of public works, briefed commissioners on an atypical winter storm that produced about 9 inches of snow and several inches of sleet and freezing rain, which created an ice cap that complicated plowing and treatment operations. Mattson described how plow trucks needed the weight of sand and salt in the dump body for traction, forced a delayed treatment schedule, and required graders and loaders to break the ice on critical routes. He estimated roughly $30,000 of road-treatment costs had been spent this winter to date against an annual material budget of $45,000.
On water infrastructure, Mattson said the Nicholson Groundwater Treatment Facility uses granular activated carbon (GAC) filters to remove volatile organic compounds but that iron fouling shortens filter life. One vessel reached the end of useful life and the county received a quote from Evoqua Water Technologies for $16,085.27 to replace the filter. The department identified $6,085.27 in reallocated funds and requested $10,000 in contingency funds to cover the remainder. Commissioners voted to allocate the $10,000 contingency.
Mattson also described two grant applications being prepared for the Maryland Department of the Environment for the Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant — one for construction of a new plant and another for demolition and a new pump station — and commissioners approved submittal of the applications. Details on requested grant amounts will follow after MDE reviews the submissions.
On Rock Hall harbor dredging, Mattson reported the Army Corps has committed about $5 million for dredging activity but will not fund spoils-site preparation. County staff identified Bramble’s pit as a likely spoils site with ~40,000-yard capacity and a remaining deficit of roughly 60,000 cubic yards. Bramble estimated up to $600,000 for pit expansion and tipping fees; county staff said they are in discussions with the Department of Natural Resources about possible grant support or reimbursement arrangements and that an immediate deposit of about $250,000 may be needed to secure pit-preparation work. Mattson emphasized that missing the permitted dredging window would delay the work by a year.
Commissioners voted to approve the contingency allocation for the groundwater filter and approved submission of the Millington wastewater application package; they received the dredging update as information.
