Clarksburg City Council passes first reading of water upgrade ordinance

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Clarksburg City Council held a meeting Thursday evening where it considered and passed the first reading of an amended ordinance that will make improvements to the water system but will come with water rate increases.

That first reading amended and restated an ordinance that would authorize the Clarksburg Water Board to acquire, equip and construct certain extensions to the system as well as betterments and improvements to it.

The ordinance stated that the increase in water rates would go towards the repayment of water revenue bonds issued to the city to finance a portion of the cost of making the improvements.

“We’re just here to help them push this along. It has to be done, there is lead in the water lines. The government is requiring that it be done by a specific date. So, you know this is the largest project ever done in the state of West Virginia. So, you know, we have to take care of our citizens and like I said you know the rate increases doesn’t come from us that comes from the water board,” the Mayor of the City of Clarksburg Jim Malfregeot said.

Members of the Clarksburg Water Board were on hand at the start of the meeting but left while it was in session. As such, 12 News was unable to get any comment from them regarding the water rate increase.

The council also approved two separate third and final readings of ordinances to improve the water system for the cost of $35 million through bonds as well as an additional $24 million in water revenue bonds through the West Virginia Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Fund.

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