Changes in a Parsons' infrastructure project will delay storm sewer extensions on Second Street by nearly three months, council was told during Tuesday's meeting.
A connection to a catch basin that was part of the original concept for a storm drain line extending down Second Street across state Route 72 was added to the project Tuesday night by council. The design, provided by Baker Engineering, did not include this tie-in, and because a line will cross Route 72, the West Virginia Division of Highways will have to review and approve the project before it can be completed.
Councilman Pete Roy, Ward 2, was upset that Baker did not include the tie-in with the plan that was implemented. Roy said he wanted to make it clear that the design element was part of the original conception and not something that was included last minute by the city.
"That thing was discussed here," Roy said, "Baker should have knowed about that, and that it had to be done, and it wasn't done on the drawings. This council knowed about that, they sure knowed about it and they didn't put it in there. Don't let Baker say it wasn't in the original. It was in the original."
According to City Administrator Jason Myers, a correspondence from Baker said the "completion of the drawing and calculation revisions" will be completed by Aug. 27. At that time, that information will be sent to the DOH for review. The project "should be advertised for construction bids during the month of September," the letter states. Myers, however, said he is skeptical about that date.
"I'll be very surprised if it goes out that soon," he told council.
Mayor Dorothy Judy spoke briefly about the street fair that took place on Aug. 14 to benefit the Parsons ON TRAC program. The mayor said more than 20 vendors participated and the people behind the scenes who organized the day were more than helpful.
"It was just a really nice day," Judy said. "We really need to thank Linda Bonner."
Proceeds from the fair will help send ON TRAC members to a conference in Buckhannon in September. The Parsons Revitalization Organization (PRO) has promised $300 toward the cost of the trip. The three-day event will include ON TRAC members from a number of cities in the region.
Project Manager Rupert Nicholas told council the drilling company contracted by Orange Construction is in the process of finding a new drill to complete installation of 121 steel beams along U.S. 219.
The beams, which will be buried 10 feet deep into solid rock, support the higher portions of the wall along "Lovers' Lane." Nicholas said the drilling company stopped I-beam installation when they hit swaths of extremely hard bedrock. According to Nicholas, the steel beams are being placed 4 feet apart, much closer than he said is needed, but the additional support will make the wall more sturdy.
"It's a very strong wall," he said.
Construction continues on the lower portions of the wall and Nicholas said the drilling company should have its new drill sometime next week. Beams are only being placed behind the sections of the wall that will exceed 10 feet.
The next meeting of the Parsons City Council will be Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Charles W. "Bill" Rosenau Municipal Building.
Copyright The Inter-Mountain, all rights reserved.
