Copper Street reopens in Hurley

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Hurley — Copper Street has been reopened to traffic, the Hurley City Council learned Tuesday.

The infrastructure work on the street had to be shut down early when winter arrived in October, delaying the completion of the project to next summer and leaving a muddy mess.

Now the ground has frozen sufficiently for the barricades to be removed along the street.

The vacant lot at the southwest corner of Third Avenue and Copper Street is available for parking. City crews will keep it free of snow.

City street superintendent Mark Bluse said his workers will pull snow from along streets next week.

The council received some good news when Mayor Joe Pinardi said $3,000 in repairs needed for a police department squad car were covered by a warranty.

Pinardi thanked Rita and Joe Franzoi for donating the city Christmas tree from their yard. They have another tree to donate next year.

The mayor and Bluse picked up a one-half ton Chevrolet Silverado for the street department. The cost to the city for the used vehicle was $13,500. The old truck will be put out on bids.

In other business, the council renewed auditing services with Wipfli, LLP and paid more than $51,000 in bills for the 2017 summer-fall utility project to Ross Peterson Construction, including a change order for $14,971.

There were eight items added to the project contract, including $4,825 to replace storm culverts under the Town and Country store entrances along U.S. 51. The second biggest added expense, for $2,750, was to install a safety shield on a tower adjacent to the city’s water tank.

Following the 5 p.m. city council meeting, residents of Copper Street met with project representatives and city officials in an informal session.