Town manager outlines trails grant, sinkhole remediation, sewer repairs and Old Schoolhouse pre‑construction

Stephens City — Town Manager Mike Majher updated the Town Council April 1 on a series of infrastructure and public‑works items that will affect near‑term operations and work schedules.

Majher said the town will file a trails grant application to build a connector between Stephens Landing and West Wind. He reported multiple open sinkholes within town limits; landowners have been notified and the town is working with Frederick County Public Works and waiting for county approval to proceed with remediation.

A pre‑construction meeting for the Old Schoolhouse Project with Kee Construction, the USDA and the project architect is scheduled for next Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., Majher said. That project is moving into early construction coordination.

Sewer repairs are ongoing: a liner failure on Mulberry Terrace required excavation and replacement, and manhole rehabilitation is being performed at Paco’s Mexi Mart on Fairfax Street. Majher said Green Street is the next sewer segment planned for work but crews are waiting on permits from the Virginia Department of Transportation to cut the roadway.

The town also is conducting sump pump inspections; Majher said most residences are compliant but several are not and that inspections will be a multi‑year effort because public‑works staff must coordinate basement access with residents. He noted the Newtown Heritage Festival preparations are advancing and that the Stephens City Farmers Market will have its grand opening at Newtown Commons this weekend.

Majher’s briefing focused on scheduling, permitting dependencies (VDOT for road cuts; Frederick County for sinkhole remediation), and upcoming public events tied to town facilities. Council members did not take formal action on these items at the meeting; several items require external approvals or follow‑up coordination by town staff.