The Times West Virginian

Local News

Related Photos

  • PHOTO BY DANNY SNYDER

    Major stormwater project completed
August 23, 2008

Major stormwater project completed

On books for years, designed to alleviate flooding issues around Watson’s Golf Drive

By Mallory Panuska

FAIRMONT — After years of aspiring and planning and about four months of construction, the first major project funded by the city’s stormwater utility officially wrapped up last week.

The project replaced and upgraded stormwater pipes in the Watson area and has been on the books for years, city officials said.

Mike DeMary, the city’s stormwater program coordinator, said about six homes on and around Golf Drive were experiencing significant flooding issues in their garages and basements for years and this project, which began in May, addressed those issues.

“We feel it was a good project. It will do what it was designed to do, keep water from entering people’s houses and basements and directing it toward the stream,” DeMary said. “There are probably half a dozen homes in that area that would get water in their basements and garages during heavy rain events.”

City utilities manager Dave Sago said that since the legwork of the project has been finished, there have not been any complaints of flooding from the residents in the area, even after several heavy rainstorms during the summer.

“Even with some of hard rains we’ve had it looks like it’s carrying water away like it’s supposed to,” Sago said. “We hope it’s going to accomplish what we set out for it to do.”

The majority of the project was completed by Cook Brothers Building Company. And last week, the project was finalized by C.W. Stickley with a paving job on Golf Drive.

“The final piece of the puzzle is getting the pavement down to divert water into the road crossings,” Sago explained.

In total, DeMary said the project cost more than $400,000, which up until several years ago would have been beyond the city’s budget. But in 2005, the city started charging a monthly surcharge on the utility bills of customers living within the city’s watershed area to pay for necessary upgrade projects.

The money derived from this fund paid for the project in full, and without that money, officials said this project and other projects slated for the future, would not have been possible.

Last month, the sanitary sewer board received a list of possible projects to be completed after Golf Drive, but DeMary said the board has not yet chosen which one to tackle first.

Currently, DeMary said the stormwater utility is working on routine maintenance and some smaller in-house jobs as officials consider the next project.

Included on the list are projects on Stony Road, Mary Lou Retton Drive at Gilbob Street, Lower Hillcrest Drive at Route 250, Ridgeley Avenue, and Dixie Avenue from Mound to The Drive.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.

Text Only
Local News
  • Therepy Dog -ts.jpg A brighter day

    Sitting on a pink polka blanket with pink bows tied around her ears, Pebbles the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel brightens up the day of a patient at the Arbors at Fairmont nursing home.
    “I always had a dog,” said Max — who preferred that his last name not be used — to Pebbles’ human, Sharon Spevock.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • ‘New heights’ NASA’s mission

    The NASA Independent Verification & Validation Facility in Fairmont has accomplished a lot over the years, but also has a long way to go, said Gregory Blaney.
    Partnerships will allow the agency to continue to move forward.

    February 9, 2012

  • Man indicted on 14 counts of sexual abuse

    A Mannington man has been indicted by the Marion County grand jury on 14 counts of sexual abuse.
    James Edward Carpenter, 34, of 100 Parkview Drive, Apt. 101, Mannington, is charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse and 10 counts of sexual abuse by parent, guardian or custodian.

    February 9, 2012

  • BB&T to remain a part of Farmington community

    Thanks to community members who made their voices heard, the BB&T branch in Farmington is staying open for business.
    The office was full of excitement and hugs Wednesday as employees and community members celebrated the news that this location will continue to service clients.

    February 9, 2012

  • Expanded airport hangar space sought

    Benedum Airport Authority members representing Marion and Harrison counties met Wednesday at the North Central West Virginia Airport for their monthly meeting to discuss plans to build and expand hangar availability.

    February 9, 2012

  • FSHS student works to start scholarship fund

    A bright smile on Kelly Horton’s face could have fooled anyone on Wednesday morning.
    In front of the Marion County Commission, the Fairmont Senior High School junior kept a strong composure as she explained why she needed help with her senior project.

    February 9, 2012

  • Marion co 911--DS.jpg It’s an emergency

    A Dalmatian was on a mission. And he was in a hurry.
    In a fire truck, the Dalmatian, Patches, rushed into Monongah Elementary on Tuesday morning while students looked on in amusement.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • MCVB and MCPARC OPENING -TS.jpg CVB, MCPARC moving to new homes

    The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County and the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission are excited to have a new place to call home.
    On Monday, both organizations began simultaneously moving into their new offices in the visitor center building directly off Interstate 79 Exit 136 at 1000 Cole St., Pleasant Valley.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ministers Run still looking for local control

    Following two meetings in different locations Tuesday, the Ministers Run Water Association is still looking for a way to keep its utility in local hands.
    Last week, the state Public Service Commission held a hearing in Grant Town.

    February 8, 2012

  • Man indicted for forgery, uttering, other crimes

    A Fairmont man charged with forgery, uttering and other crimes is one of 23 people named in indictments handed down by the Marion County Grand Jury in its second day of deliberations Tuesday.
    Jeremy Nathan Ferraro, 31, Fairmont, was indicted on forgery; uttering; obtaining money, property or services by false pretenses; and domestic battery, third offense.

    February 8, 2012