City talks tree, surplus vehicle profits

Oct. 5—CUMBERLAND — Brooke Cassell covered a lot of ground Tuesday, including news from the city's water, sewer, streets and forestry departments.

Cassell, public works operations manager, provided an update of the division's business at a mayor and City Council work shop.

Completed and ongoing projects include a water line upgrade on Hanover Street, valve replacements for the Baltimore Street bridge work, valve installation for the Baltimore Street access project and replacement of a collapsed sewer line on Hill Top Drive, she said.

More than 30 surplus vehicles and other equipment were sold for more than $167,000 via the online marketplace Govdeals.

"It's working out great," Cassell said of the website.

Four new pickup trucks were purchased for the public works department, she said.

A new pole building was constructed to store equipment including a loader, bucket truck and mowers.

Upcoming projects include a new water main on Browning Street from Oak Street to Virginia Avenue.

A water line will be replaced from Canal to Mechanic streets.

Water lines will be upgraded on Buckingham Road and Chestnut Street in the spring.

Cassell also said Shannon Farrell was hired as a consultant forester to oversee timber sales at the Evitts Creek watershed.

The site includes 50 acres in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

The city's water supply comes from Koon and Gordon lakes.

Decades ago, however, Cumberland drew its water from the Potomac River, which was lined with industrial manufacturing companies that included Kelly-Springfield Tire Co., Celanese Fibers — Amcelle Plant, and West Virginia Pulp and Paper in Luke.

For years, the city battled unsanitary drinking water problems.

In 1932, Cumberland Mayor Thomas Koon led an effort, despite intense opposition at the time, to establish the water supply line from Pennsylvania.

"It is a beautiful parcel of land," Cassell said of the watershed.

American Hardwood Industries won a recent bid for the wood at nearly $151,000.

"I like the revenue," Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss said. "(And) we're doing the right thing for the watershed."

Teresa McMinn is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or tmcminn@times-news.com.