Martinsville board approves wastewater tank cleaning contract with Wheeling Brothers

The Martinsville Board of Works and Safety on May 26 approved a contract with Wheeling Brothers to clean two 1‑million‑gallon aeration tanks at the city wastewater treatment plant, with a firm cap of $149,000.

Mr. Dunn, an agency official who presented the procurement, said the tanks should be cleaned about every five years and that it had been longer than that since the city last performed the work. He said staff received three quotes: Clean Harbors Environmental for about $211,938, Fluid Waste Services for about $194,680, and Wheeling Brothers at a bid capped at $149,000. "Their bid ... is capped at $250,000 gallons. if they have to haul that much away at 58 cents a gallon," he said in describing the price structure and the city's past experience hauling roughly 80,000 gallons.

A motion to approve the Wheeling Brothers quote, not to exceed $149,000, was made and seconded and the motion carried. The board did not record individual vote tallies in the transcript.

Why it matters: cleaning the aeration tanks is routine maintenance that affects treatment plant reliability and compliance. Mr. Dunn said the last full hauling event removed about 80,000 gallons, and staff evaluated the bids on that basis. The board's decision commits city funds for an operation budgeted through the wastewater system's maintenance process; the transcript did not specify the exact funding line or when the work will begin.

The board set administrative follow-up: staff will complete paperwork and proceed under the approved price cap. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for June 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.