A missed sewer tap during the 2010 upgrades of the infrastructure underneath Davis Avenue may cost the city of Elkins $12,800. On Wednesday, the Elkins Finance Committee received a request to be reimbursed the money it took for repairs.
The project that involved replacing the water main, sewer and gas lines for the downtown's main thoroughfare spanned the entire summer two years ago and had many business owners up in arms saying the construction limited access for their patrons. The work was needed to help alleviate water line breaks, among other reasons.
The missed tap, which should have been installed to Liberty Tax Service, was discovered in May. Building owners P&M Properties had to hire contractors to make repairs and the city dug up a portion of Davis Avenue and replaced a sidewalk.
"We did not hook up the sewer when we did the Davis Avenue work," Finance Committee Chairman and City Councilman Bob Woolwine, 1st Ward, said Wednesday. "The owner (Jerry Metheny) spent $12,800 to fix the problem and he is requesting reimbursement."
Elkins Operations Manager Bob Pingley said the city missed the tap during the 2010 construction. He explained that city employees conducted the work to replace the sewer lines in the street, while contractors made upgrades to water lines.
"It does happen on occasion," he said. "There was gravel under the street and that is where it (sewer drainage) went. That is why it took so long to find it."
Elkins Mayor Duke Talbott said the building owners need to send a formal request to the Elkins Sanitary Board to seek the money. City Treasurer Lisa Daniels-Smith added that the building owners need to submit more than a request for the reimbursement.
"We need an itemized list so the Sanitary Board can make a good judgment," she said.
