By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Work on three Civic Improvement Projects is progressing according to Zach Musgrove. Musgrove presented the latest developments on behalf of Thrasher Architecture, Engineering and Field Services to the City of Parsons Council during the Council’s regular session.
Despite setbacks with directional drilling, the contractor is making progress on the City of Parsons – Hamrick PSD Emergency Interconnection Project, Musgrove said. According to Musgrove, the contractor was almost to the river when they hit the old bridge abutment and had to change where they were drilling. The contractor has also encountered factory manufacturing defects with a replacement drill head, Musgrove said. “They’ve had a lot of struggles drilling under the river,” Musgrove said.
Despite the drilling issues, Musgrove said construction on the Interconnection project is 15% complete with the contractor resuming the directional drilling under the river and laying pipe on the Hamrick side of the project. “He thinks he’ll get through the river two weeks from now,” Musgrove said.
The Parsons Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Project is in the Design phase, according to Musgrove. Musgrove reported that preliminary plans are ready to review with City department heads. Survey and Camera Crews have finished field work on the project, as well, according to Musgrove. A Vac Truck and sewer line along the river have been removed from the project with the addition to the project of the Poplar Street Storm Separation, Merrill Street Sewer Replacement and Berry Lane Sewer Replacement, according to Musgrove.
The removal of the sewer line along the river, according to the City Recorder Tim Auvil and Musgrove, is due to the need for a more in depth archaeological study of the area. According to Auvil, a Phase Two archaeological Study would be required in the area along the river.
While having no real objection to the removal of the sewer replacement along the river, Council Member Tim Turner voiced concerns over how decisions about removing areas from projects were addressed. Turner said he felt that Council should have say in such matters. Auvil said the matter had been addressed at the previous Council meeting and in committee meetings. Turner acknowledged that he had missed the previous Council meeting. Turner also said he agreed with the decision to remove the section from the project.
Other advances in the Sewer System Project included the anticipated submission of plans and specs to the Department of Environmental Protection in March and a Right of Way list to be provided to City Attorney Tim Stranko, according to Musgrove. According to Musgrove and Auvil, the project will fulfill all the requirements from the DEP in regards to the City’s recent Notice of Violation.
The Parsons Water System Improvements Project is also making progress, according to Musgrove. While still in the Design Phase, Musgrove reported that the scope of the project was ready to be reviewed with City Department heads. Musgrove said he anticipated that the submission of Plans and Specs is anticipated in April with a review set available sometime in March.
The next meeting of the City of Parsons Council will be held Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Charles W. “Bill” Rosenau Municipal Building located at 341 Second Street in Parsons.
