CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — April 5, 2025
Clarksburg City Council approved two major purchases for the Public Works Department during its regular meeting Thursday evening, totaling $210,560.
The purchases include a new trommel machine for the city’s Compost Center at a cost of $125,000, as well as two Ford F-150 SuperCab XL trucks for $85,560 combined.
A trommel is a rotating mesh drum used to sort compost material by size. According to Public Works Superintendent James DeMaria, the equipment is essential to the city’s composting process.
“The trommel is what we use to make our final product,” DeMaria said. “Our product comes from the trucks picking it up off the routes or from people dropping it off at our sites.”
After the compost is ground and placed in drying beds for about a year, it is then processed through the trommel, which separates the fine compost material that is later sold to the public.
The city’s existing trommel, a 2001 model, is no longer functional.
“Our engine broke,” DeMaria said. “I cannot find an engine for it. We’ve had people come look at it, and they cannot rebuild it, so there’s no fixing it.”
If ordered soon, the new trommel is expected to be delivered by the end of April.
City Manager Tiffany Fell also noted that the new trucks will improve the department’s ability to meet service needs across the city.
Council member Martin Howe voiced concern about the funding source for the vehicles, which will be purchased using the city’s Sales and Use Tax Fund.
“I just can’t support using the money from the Sales and Use Tax Fund,” Howe said. “I have to reiterate I do support the Public Works Department, but I do not support utilizing sales and use tax funds for the purchases of the vehicles.”
The motion for both purchases passed with majority approval.
