Ironwood - February 16, 2010

At last week's Board of Trustee Meeting, Township Supervisor Kim Mattson, informed the trustees on the progress of the Water and Sewer Projects.

Mattson stated that the sewer project committee met with engineer Marv Winberg. Because the bid prices were lower than the budget for the sewer project, additional work can be added to the project. It was determined the best place for this work was around the old sewer plant on the west end of Sunset Road. The additional work will be handled as a change order at the time of the loan closing.

Kim advised the trustees that it was the opinion of many people downstate that once the infrastructure funds are used, they will not be available again. Mattson stated that "In light of this information, I would like to move ahead with a Phase 2 for our sewer lines. Our sewer committee determined which lines needed replacing: Sunset Road, West Jackson Road, the line between Jackson and Mountain View, a portion of East Jackson, and the line from Jackson to Margaret."  Kim noted that once they figure out which portion of work can be added to phase 1, then they can work on Phase 2.

Kim Mattson then told the trustees that when they apply for funding through USDA, one of the criteria for the grant/loan ratio they look at is the median income of the whole township-not just the utility users.

The median income from the last census shows us above the low-income level. The township can hire somebody to complete a survey of the median income level of just the customers on the utility system.Mattson believes the results of a survey will show the median income of the utility customers to be of the low-income level, which will allow the Township more grant funding when they apply for funding for the next phase of the sewer project. Mattson requested permission to hire Dr. Alan Brokaw from Houghton to complete this survey. He is a retired professor from MTU and has worked with many municipalities and is currently working with Wells Township, and has just completed this service to Breitung Township.

The trustees voted to approve the survey after discussing the merits of the project.

Mattson provided the Trustees with an update on the Water project.

The pressure test is complete on US 2 and passed. Snow Country
is working on the Booster station today, pre-building the shelter in their shop. Within 2 weeks the roof should be on. In a couple weeks, they will be pre-hauling materials affected by weight limits.

The start date this spring, weather permitting will be April 26th, but they are still hoping that if the Oakhill Lane project will be approved at the next GRWA meeting. They will also try to get the short cross-country run on Sunnyside done.