East Weirton project moving forward

The Weirton Sanitary Board held its regular monthly meeting Thursday where the board decided to give permission to move forward with the East Weirton sewer project.

Utilities Director Butch Mastrantoni informed the board that "current economic instability has presented hurdles" that have come to his attention.

Mastrantoni said the East Weirton project is one taking place past Colliers and just before the Pennsylvania state line where residents are just inside the city limits. The project is expected to affect 21 residents within the city limits, four Pennsylvania residents, one in the Brooke County Public Service District, and possibly another resident also in the Brooke County Public Service District. He stated that during the project, the sanitary department will be working to install eight inch and 10 inch lines, depending on where the residence is, as well as a pump station to transport flow to the manhole.

Mastrantoni said the original estimated cost of the project was $155,000 that would be partially funded through Community Development Block Grant funds. He stated that the sanitary department has been asked by the gas utilities to change plans and lay lines in a different area that would require easements to go on property and possibly have property restoration costs as well.

"Due to what we now believe to be future work with other utilities, the project may cost another $15,000 or more," said Mastrantoni. "We don't know yet."

Mastrantoni explained that the gas company wants $5,000 up front for anticipated possible line breaks during the project. He stated that he is not authorized to move forward with such a proposition and wanted the board to provide direction.

"We have enough to start the project now, but we don't have the funds to move beyond that and no guarantee of the rate increase to help on the revenue side," Mastrantoni said.

He said that the Sanitary Board is not in the same financial condition that the Water Board is currently in, but wants to take a proactive approach to the situation before they get to the same point.

Mayor Mark Harris and the other members of the board said that the sanitary department should move forward with what they can before the board begins to approve funds and report back on where they stand at the next meeting, set to take place June 11 at 3 p.m.

(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)