MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The deadline for negotiations on the Mississippi Street pipeline project is set for Friday.
Morgantown officials asked the Morgantown Utility Board to pay $1 million for the value of trees in the area, replacing trees and removing the pipeline at their own expense.
Board officials set the deadline for Friday, citing permitting, material acquisition and contractor availability.
Board members of the Clay Battelle Public Service District sent a letter to the Monongalia County Commission on Oct. 23 calling the demands “unreasonable,” noting the Mississippi Street project would mean a second rate increase since 2016.
“Now, you’ve impacted the city of Morgantown (and) you’ve impacted our area because when MUB passes those costs on to the Clay Battelle Public Service District, we have no choice but to raise our rates as well,” Secretary-Treasurer Joanne Brooks said.
The route being considered would go through part of White Park, but the utility board reduced the size of the impacted area when it secured land off of park property.