Warren Scott GRANT SOUGHT — On Wednesday, Wellsburg City Manager Eric Tamburin advised the city's water-sewer board a $4.5 million grant has been sought to design future improvements to the city's water system.

WELLSBURG — On Wednesday, the city’s water-sewer board learned a $4.5 million grant will be sought for a major water project.

City Manager Erica Tamburin advised the panel that Thrasher Engineering has submitted documentation for a grant from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Job Development Council for the installation of a new water line along Charles Street from 13th to 30th streets.

Tamburin said plans are being made to design the project so it will be shovel-ready as funds become available.

In recent months, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has announced millions of dollars in grants for various water and sewer projects in the state.

If funded, it would complete an effort initiated by former city manager Steve Maguschak to replace water lines along Charles with wider pipes that provide greater pressure and valves to limit the impact when line breaks occur.

Similar upgrades have also been made along sections of Main and Commerce streets.

Tamburin also told the board that negotiations between Denoon Lumber and attorneys with Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, DeCapio & Pearl, the city’s legal counsel, have led the lumber company to raise its offer to $7,500 to cross city property to reach private land for timbering.

Plans have been made for that money to be invested in the city’s sewer department. It is not clear if the business will offer funds to the city for lumber on its own property.

Located near McCord’s Hill Road, the land is used to dispose of treated sewage sludge transported from the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Recently, the city was approached by a representative of Williams Companies about extending a natural gas pipeline under the same property. Mayor Dan Dudley said the city’s legal counsel is discussing that matter with Williams officials. The company has been asked to present a plan for the development to be reviewed by the board and Wellsburg Council.

On Wednesday, the water-sewer board also granted a request from city employees to hunt on the land, provided they sign a liability waiver absolving the city of any responsibility for harm to themselves, a provision encouraged by board member Mike Serevicz. A handful of city workers attended the meeting to hear the panel’s decision.

Third Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher, who sits on the board, was a vocal supporter, saying it would be a small perk for them. He noted others have hunted on the property, but that was illegal and will continue to be for them.

The water-sewer board meets at 5 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Wellsburg City Hall.