Photo by Evan Bevins Parkersburg Utility Board Manager Eric Bennett spoke during Tuesday’s board meeting, where nearly $900,000 in payments were approved for projects.

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Utility Board approved nearly $900,000 in payments on five different projects during its meeting Tuesday.

More than half of the $891,027.99 authorized went to Tribute Contracting & Consultants on the contract to replace large-diameter water mains throughout the system.

“This … covers work performed over the past month,” Utility Board Manager Eric Bennett said.

Most of the payments, as well as drawdowns from state and local funding sources, were approved on 4-0 votes, with member Paul Hoblitzell absent.

The exception was a 3-1 vote authorizing a payment of $184,036.60 to Stonegate Construction Inc. for its ongoing work on small-diameter water main replacements. Member Bob Wright said he voted against it in “protest” over issues with pavement and driveway restoration by the contractor.

Also approved unanimously were:

• A payment of $27,045 to Orders Construction Inc. for monthly costs and stored materials on the water treatment plant backwash basin, tank mixer and south reservoir project, which is on hold for the winter and material delays.

The drawdown of $725,105.18 — $89,651.30 from American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated to the PUB and the rest from the state Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Fund — for payment on the preceding three contracts, which are part of a more than $19 million water system improvement project. The revolving fund money is a loan being repaid with a phased water rate increase.

• A payment of $174,496.85 to Triton Construction Inc. on the ongoing wastewater treatment plant improvements.

A draw of $197,596.85 from the West Virginia Water Development Authority Economic Enhancement Grant Fund and PUB reserves for that work, plus associated engineering services.

• A payment of $54,032.26 to Dunlap Construction on the Fort Boreman water and sewer extension project.

Bennett said it covers the rest of the mobilization costs and stored materials, though work has been underway since the end of February.

“They have made the connection at Camden Avenue and ran the line to the base of the hill,” he said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.