Morrice council awards South Street sidewalk bid, appoints new trustee

The Morrice Village Council awarded its South Street sidewalk project to SA Smith Paving of Owosso for $23,885 at its July 14 regular meeting, according to minutes approved July 28.

Five bids came in on the sidewalk work, ranging from $23,885 to $86,625, the minutes state. Wolverine Engineering recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder. Trustee Philip Hruska moved to award the contract, seconded by Maggie Saint Amour. The roll call was 5-0 in favor, with Jacob Saint Amour, Hruska, Maggie Saint Amour, Robert Peterson and President Todd Scott voting yes.

Earlier in the meeting the council added an item to appoint a new trustee. Hruska moved to appoint Jacob Saint Amour to one of the vacant council seats, seconded by Maggie Saint Amour. The roll call was 3-0, with Hruska, Peterson and Scott voting yes and Maggie Saint Amour abstaining, according to the minutes. Jacob Saint Amour voted on the later items in the meeting.

Other spending approved

The council voted 5-0 to accept a $3,850 bid from Mike & Son Asphalt to repair the storm drain under the section of Diamond Way the company will be repairing. On a separate 5-0 vote, the council approved spending $2,540.26 to repair the John Deere flail mower, which the minutes say needs two bearings, some teeth replacement and parts to hold the bearings.

Members also voted 5-0 to put an unused street sweeper attachment up for auction at XYZ in Durand after DPW employee Hayden Bradberry told the council the attachment is old and not used.

The council approved fund transfers recommended by Hruska on a 5-0 vote: $7,000 from checking to investments for the Motor Pool Fund, $1,000 for the Local Street Fund, $15,000 for the Transfer Station Fund and $7,000 for the Major Street Fund, plus transfers from investment accounts to checking of $9,000 for the General Fund and $1,500 for the Sewer Fund. Bills were paid on a 5-0 roll call.

Transfer station rebid, festival closures

No bids were received for the transfer station expansion project, the minutes state. D. Heck of Wolverine Engineering offered two options: solicit bids directly from potential contractors, or re-advertise and bid the project again after the first of the year. The council chose to rebid after the first of the year.

The council voted 5-0 to approve a road closure and parade permit for St. Mary's annual Fall Festival on Sept. 12 and 13. The parade runs Sept. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m., with the 150-Year Celebration parade following immediately, on a route from South Street down Main Street to Mason Street. Main Street will be closed from Davis to Mason from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

On 150-Year Celebration planning, Maggie Saint Amour reported the DDA contributed $1,000 covering the full cost of signage, Meijer donated a $500 gift card for hot dogs, buns, water and ice, and Reynolds Tree Service will operate the grill. The council voted 5-0 to approve expenditures to date and to use a $400 Menard's rebate check to buy six tables and chairs. During guest comments, SCOA offered to donate catsup and mustard for the celebration.

Under new business, Peterson said a large tent was set up on the DDA vacant lots on Main Street on July 4 and that people were shooting off fireworks carelessly, with boxes burning and fireworks landing on nearby roofs. The minutes record discussion but no action.

What happens next

The council said it would hold its July 28 meeting as scheduled; the minutes from July 14 were approved at that meeting. The Budget Committee will meet sometime in September. The transfer station expansion will be re-advertised for bids after the first of the year. An amendment to the Britton Road project tied to a 2027 RTF grant was tabled pending word from Wolverine Engineering, and a decision on mailers awaits DDA approval of the extra cost at the DDA's July 22 meeting.