Parkersburg City Council hears update on water projects
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PARKERSBURG -- Parkersburg Utility Board Manager Eric Bennett provided an update to ongoing city water projects at Tuesday's meeting of Parkersburg City Council.
Invited to the meeting by Council President Sharon Kuhl, council voted to suspend the three-minute speaking limit and also voted to allow council to ask questions.
Bennett presented the council with copies of status reports from both Tribute Contracting and Stonegate Construction from different locations in Parkersburg. He said several of the contracts are complete, but "the complete ones still have sealing of the joints required. Whether it's asphalt or concrete, they're still going to seal those joints to keep liquid from getting in them.
"Currently, the small diameters just finished up on the 15th while doing their service switchovers. They were out there today working off of Division Street. They are finishing Plum Street. They completed the concrete today. Then they will be moving to Jefferson," Bennett said.
Kuhl asked about the approximate timeframe to finish the projects. Bennett said it will be in July.
"We have received many complaints about this project, as you know." Kuhl said, referring to the Tribute projects. "Seeing on your list that Camden and Division street are done, but the cutouts in the road are below grade. When you're driving, you're hitting it."
Kuhl also mentioned the complaints she's received from citizens.
"I think the problem I'm having and citizens are having is the length of time it takes to fill these trenches in the road. If you're going to do a project, complete it before you move on to the next one," she said.
Bennett said he understands the council's frustration, and plans to make changes in the future.
Councilman Bob Mercer said he has received complaints about perceived lack of work on Division Street Extension.
"On Division Street Extension, people are calling me and saying, 'What are they doing?' And I say, 'I don't know.'"
"This city council takes a lot of pride in our streets," Kuhl said. "We want people to come to the city of Parkersburg and be able to drive on our streets safely."