ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 19, 2001) – The Maryland Board of Public Works today approved a $220,618 grant to the town of Westernport in Allegany County for the construction of new water distribution lines in the town's Church Street area.

"About 2,300 Westernport residents depend on damaged water lines for water service in to their homes and businesses", said Governor Parris N. Glendening. "This is unacceptable. Replacement of this faulty system will help bring a sense of relief and peace of mind to those residents by improving the quantity and quality of the water they use."

The construction project will include the replacement of water distribution lines along a one-half mile section of the town's system in the area of Church Street and Maryland Route 135. The repairs will eliminate leaky joints that could support water supply contamination and help alleviate on-going problems related to the town’s combined sewer systems, which often results in overflows containing untreated domestic, commercial and industrial wastes, as well as surface runoff.

“Speaking for the residents of Westernport, we are overjoyed at the work that is going to be done on,” said Westernport Mayor Tom Smith. “We thank the State for their effort in helping Westernport with this, a project to help make Westernport a much safer and healthier town."
The total cost of the project is $285,000, of which $220,618 is provided by today’s grant. Westernport will contribute $55,000 to the line’s renovation. The project is expected to begin sometime this month and be complete by August 2002.

Chaired by Governor Glendening, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

###