Ironwood water rate increase sparks reaction in Hurley

By Bryan Hellios

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Hurley — The Hurley City Council met Tuesday to raise resident’s water rates by a 3% increase to offset the cost passed on by the city of Ironwood.

Robbie Lanctoe, chairperson for the public works, said they have had a lot of phone calls about the “black water.”

“Just all the dirty water we’ve had the last three weeks before this and then they (Ironwood) raise it 2.8%,” he said.

Lanctoe doesn't know what happened to the water quality in Ironwood and said he even asked them for guidance.

“We check our water quarterly and if we don’t pass we put a letter in the paper,” he said.

Lanctoe said he would like to receive more notice from Ironwood when there are problems with the water “Instead of waiting a week before we had to call them.”

In other business the council:

—Approved Ryan Ofstad DBA Ofstad Auto & Sport Repair a conditional use permit to allow car sales at 390 Ringle Drive.

—Approved Anita Whetstone to allow short term vacation rentals (AirBnB) at 103 Maple Street.

—Announced open book and board of review dates is on June 19 at 4:30 p.m. and Thursday June 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

—Approved changing July's meeting to July 16 due to the July 4 holiday.