Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
HURLEY'S COPPER Street remains closed Tuesday as curb, sidewalk and gutter work continues prior to paving that could begin in two weeks.
By RALPH ANSAMI
Hurley - The Hurley City Council approved sewer rate increases at Tuesday's regular monthly meeting.
The increase to Hurley customers was necessary because of higher rates being charged by the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Authority.
City clerk Stacey Wiercinski said the first bill from the wastewater authority with the higher rates was for $1,667 more per month, or around $5,000 per quarter.
She said the Hurley increase will amount to about $7 per quarter for a resident who uses 10,000 gallons, which is around the average. That is based on a $1 increase in the service rate per quarter and 60 cents per 1,000 gallons.
The higher Hurley rates will take effect with the quarterly September billing, according to Jamey Francis, the city council's representative on the wastewater board.
Francis noted Ironwood and Ironwood Township residents who use the wastewater treatment plant off Cloverland Drive will also see increases. He said while the plant is operating well with some equipment that dates 30 years, the extra costs will cover some needed updates.
In other business Tuesday, the city council agreed to sell a sewer-water department 2011 pickup truck that is worth about $6,500 and use the money to buy a new vehicle next year, when it will be budgeted.
The used truck that was purchased for $14,000 needs a new transmission and the front differential is shot. Von Holzen Chevrolet in Ashland said the repair costs are estimated at $6,300. The truck has 160,000 miles, so council members agreed to strip it down and sell it.
The council also agreed to seek applicants for the former Wishbones liquor license.
It approved a hotel and motel registration for Hurley Hospitality LLC, but tabled a beer and liquor license application for Huber Hotels at 1000 10th Ave. N.
