Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Township approves water line takeover

By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

Ironwood Township — Given the proximity to the township’s existing system, the Ironwood Township Board of Trustees agreed to take over responsibility of a water line Tuesday.

Located on Country Club Road, the line will be under the roadway to tie in the Gogebic County Country Club and Elk & Hound restaurant into the township’s system.

The property is currently part of the city of Ironwood’s water system.

Ironwood Utilities Manager Bob Tervonen said the property is at the end of the city’s system and can often experience problems when issues happen elsewhere in the city.

“When we have a … hydrant leak (or) water main break, Country Club seems to be the first one with low pressure, discoloration; because they’re on a small line and they’re at the end of the system,” Tervonen said.

The city is replacing that part of the city’s sewer system this summer when the Gogebic County Road Commission redoes Country Club Road.

Even with the replacement of the line, Tervonen said it would take roughly 900 feet to connect to the city’s system if they didn’t run it to the township system across the road.

Replacing the 900 feet of water line would cost roughly $100,000, according to information presented at the meeting, compared to the roughly $15,000 connecting to the township’s system is expected to cost.

The city would cover the cost to connect to the township, according to Tervonen, which would involve installing a new, copper line seven feet below Country Club Road. The township would then be responsible for maintaining and billing the meters.

The city will maintain ownership of the property’s sewer line, Tervonen said.

The city received approximately $2,400 in revenue from the water account last year, according to Tervonen. He noted the township’s commercial water rate is a bit higher, meaning the revenue generated would likely be higher too.

The addition of the property to the township’s system will also help reduce the presence of stagnant water in that part of the township’s system.

In other action, the board:

—Began its meeting with a moment of silence for township supervisor Steve Boyd, who died Thursday morning after a battle with cancer.

—Picked its preferred design for repairs to the township gym roof trusses, which were damaged in March from the roof’s snow load. The design — which would involve installing more than the existing three trusses to support the roof — is not only the most cost-effective, it would be the most flexible for future renovations.

—Approved a gaming license to allow Copper Peak to hold a 50/50 raffle during the upcoming Red Bull 400.

 
 
Rendered 02/20/2024 08:16