SALISBURY, Md.- The city of Salisbury was awarded $2.1 million more in a case against Construction Dynamics Group, LLC. The group was responsible for the faulty wastewater treatment plant that cost $84 million to build, with $40 million for the construction coming from the city of Salisbury.
A jury verdict awarded the city $1,968,417.43. Also, Construction Dynamics paid Salisbury $162,225 for improper billing. The total amount Salisbury taxpayers got back is $2,130,642.43.
Mayor James Ireton said the total amount is up to $12.825 million now and added that while there was a loss, this was the best possible outcome for the city.
"We think that between that and the $7 million we have in the water and sewer fund, we're well on our way to telling the state of Maryland that we have a tried and true process that's going to work and the state of Maryland is working very closely with Brown and Caldwell and with the city so we know that what we're going to build out there works."
According to Ireton, the Maryland Department of the Environment will be working a lot more closely with the new construction team that will be upgrading the facility. This is estimated to cost between $55 million and $60 million.
Ireton said he does not expect to have to increase taxes in 2013 for citizens either because there is a $7 million surplus in the water and sewer fund. He said that now he wants to move forward and leave the past in the past.
"I'd like to begin to close those doors in terms of the drama that is the wastewater treatment plant," he said. "I think with this settlement today helping us move forward with the state of Maryland and breaking ground on the new one, I think it's going tot be important and that will close the door."
