At his annual report to Bridgeport City Council, City Engineer and Director of Public Works Tom Brown started out by like the city’s mission statement, his department’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of the city’s residents and members of its business community. That is done by maintaining quality infrastructure while efficiently maintaining resources.

 

“The engineering and public works department is involved with water, sewer, transportation, economic, environment and safety – basic survival needs,” said Brown Monday night when he addressed members of Council at the regularly scheduled meeting.

 

Infrastructure projects encompass sewer, storm drainage, signage, sidewalks, city streets and the city’s water system. Brown shared that during the last 12 years, City Council has appropriated more than $5 million in roadway repairs and matched funds for downtown Main Street upgrades to the tune of $1.7 million. More than $1.5 million is spent on utility projects annually and during a recent three-year period, between $600,000 and $700,000 was earmarked for storm water projects.

 

Brown’s department responds to about 1200 work orders annually, including water, sewer, pot holes, downed signs and dead deer pick-up.

 

He shared with Council that Fred Burton, who previously worked with city code enforcement, has over recent months helped to manage the public works department.

 

“He is really taking hold of maintenance of corridors within the city and has done a fantastic job making sure roadways are cut and streets are swept, among other areas of maintenance,” Brown said.

 

Brown ran through a list of sewer projects which the department has completed over the past year, namely Pennsylvania Avenue, Meadow Lane and the Johnson Avenue walkway. The latter project encompassed sewer work and more.

 

“There were three real needs there,” Brown said. “The hillside was slipping, so we created a buttress to hopefully keep the slip from happening. That was affecting the sewer line so it was replaced and we did some aesthetic work as well, creating a new sidewalk where it was leaning, stabilizing the waterway at the bottom of the ravine.”

 

Waste water treatment plant upgrades have also been completed.

 

“Long-term plans are created for each facility. We originally planned for upgrades in 2016, but because of revenues from hospital and Meadowfill (Landfill) and also some creative internal planning to buy materials, etc., we’ve accomplished that without borrowing the money we had planned on borrowing and have completed about 95 percent with one little project left. We’re waiting on some materials to do some bypass of the sewer outfall while finishing that up,” Brown said.

 

Water projects have encompassed Platinum Drive, Hall Street, U.S. Route 50 and Corpening Drive, the latter featuring the replacement of two-inch line. Still in progress is a project encompassing Route 131, Pennsylvania Ave., Smith Street to Olive Street, Route 50 (Main Street) and Center Street.

 

“It is the largest project and it’s still ongoing,” Brown said.

 

Also this year, there were some complaints from water customers on Ridgeway Drive. Those complaints dealt with pressure. A new pump station was ordered and should be delivered soon, Brown said Monday.

 

There was also some work done at Meadowbrook Mall this year, Brown said.

 

“We’ve tried since 2005 to create another water line for the mall and we were finally able to get the easement from the mall folks,” he said. “When they decided they needed new lights, we got the easement for the water, along with the easement for the lights.”

 

That work, being done in-house, should be completed before the arrival of winter.

 

Storm water projects were completed in two phases, Brown explained. Phase I is once again wrapping up with work at Compton Park, including the construction of a storm water management pond. Phase II included work on Center Street (work done in-house), North Street to Kelly Drive (a contracted project) and Worthington Drive. The latter project ended up being three different projects and involving drainage issues.

 

Brown also brought Council up to speed on street drainage and sidewalk work, including the recent sealing and striping of municipal parking lots. He mentioned that the lot behind the Main Street fire station will likely be paved in the spring instead of sealing it now.

 

“I think it’s far enough gone that sealing would have been a waste of money,” he said.

 

Brown also made mention that the latest topography photo/map of Bridgeport is now more than three years old.

 

“It’s outdated so I think one of the projects we should talk about in the future is updating either section or the topography as a whole,” he said.

 

There has indeed been a lot of changes in Bridgeport over the past three to four years.

 

“I want to thank Council for the resources to be able to make a difference,” Brown said. “I really appreciate that. It’s the fun part of my job – to do those projects that make a difference.”